Ip-10 antibodies and their uses

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human antibodies, that bind to IP-10 with high affinity, inhibit the binding of IP-10 to its receptor, inhibit IP-10-induced calcium flux and inhibit IP-10-induced cell migration. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting IP-10 activity using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.13/478,876, filed May 23, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No.8,258,266, issued Sep. 4, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/009,731, filed Dec. 10, 2004 (abandoned), whichis a non-provisional of U.S. application No. 60/529,180, filed Dec. 10,2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interferon gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10) (also known as CXCL10) isa 10 kDa chemokine that was originally identified based on expression ofthe IP-10 gene in cells treated with interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)(Luster, A. D. et al. (1985) Nature 315:672-676). IP-10 shows homologyto proteins having chemotactic activity, such as platelet factor 4 andbeta-thromoboglobulin, and to proteins having mitogenic activity, suchas connective tissue-activating peptide III (Luster, A. D. et al. (1987)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:2868-2871). IP-10 is secreted by a varietyof cells, including endothelial cells, monocytes, fibroblasts, andkeratinocytes, in response to IFN-gamma (Luster, A. D. and Ravetch, J.V. (1987) J. Exp. Med. 166:1084-1097). IP-10 also has been shown to bepresent in dermal macrophages and endothelial cells in delayed typehypersensitivity (DTH) responses in human skin (Kaplan, G. et al. (1987)J. Exp. Med. 166:1098-1108). Although originally identified based on itsbeing induced by IFN-gamma, IP-10 also can be induced by IFN-alpha, forexample in dendritic cells (Padovan, E. et al. (2002) J. Leukoc. Biol.71:669-676). IP-10 expression can also be induced in cells of thecentral nervous system, such as astrocytes and microglia, by stimulisuch as IFN-gamma, viruses and lipopolysaccharide (Vanguri, R. andFarber, J. M. (1994) J. Immunol. 152:1411-1418; Ren, L. Q. et al. (1998)Brain Res. Mol. Brain. Res. 59:256-263). The immunobiology of IP-10 isreviewed in Neville, L. F et al. (1997) Cytokine Growth Factor Rev.8:207-219.

The receptor for IP-10 has been identified as CXCR3, a seventransmembrane receptor (Loetscher, M. et al. (1996) J. Exp. Med.184:963-969). CXCR3 has been shown to be expressed on activated Tlymphocytes but not on resting T lymphocytes, nor on B lymphocytes,monocytes or granulocytes (Loetscher, M. et al., supra). CXCR3expression has been shown to be upregulated on NK cells by stimulationwith TGF-beta 1 (Inngjerdingen, M. et al. (2001) Blood 97:367-375). Twoother ligands for CXCR3 have also been identified: MIG (Loetscher, M. etal., supra) and ITAC (Cole, K. E. et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med.187:2009-2021).

Binding of IP-10 to CXCR3 has been shown to mediate calcium mobilizationand chemotaxis in activated T cells (Loetscher, M. et al., supra).Chemotaxis and intracellular calcium mobilization are also induced byIP-10 binding to CXCR3 on activated NK cells (Maghazachi, A. A. et al.(1997) FASEB J. 11:765-774). Within the thymus, IP-10 has been shown tobe a chemoattractant for TCRαβ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells, TCRγδ⁺ T cells and NK-typecells (Romagnani, P. et al. (2001) Blood 97:601-607).

IP-10 or its receptor CXCR3 have been identified in a variety ofdifferent inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including multiplesclerosis (see e.g., Sorensen, T. L. et al. (1999) J. Clin. Invest.103:807-815), rheumatoid arthritis (see e.g., Patel, D. D. et al. (2001)Clin. Immunol. 98:39-45), ulcerative colitis (see e.g., Uguccioni, M. etal. (1999) Am. J. Pathol. 155:331-336), hepatitis (see e.g., Narumi, S.et al. (1997) J. Immunol. 158:5536-5544), spinal cord injury (see e.g.,McTigue, D. M. et al. (1998) J. Neurosci. Res. 53:368-376; Gonzalez etal. 2003. Exp. Neurol. 184:456-463), systemic lupus erythematosus (seee.g., Narumi, S. et al. (2000) Cytokine 12:1561-1565), transplantrejection (see e.g., Zhang, Z. et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 168:3205-3212),Sjogren's syndrome (see e.g., Ogawa, N. et al. (2002) Arthritis Rheum.46:2730-2741). Accordingly, therapeutic agents that inhibit the activityare desirable, in particular agents that are suitable for use in humans.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, inparticular human monoclonal antibodies, that bind to IP-10 and thatexhibit numerous desirable properties. These properties include highaffinity binding to human IP-10, as well as cross-reactivity with rhesusmonkey IP-10 but lacking substantial cross-reactivity with either humanMIG, human ITAC or mouse IP-10. Furthermore, the antibodies inhibit thebinding of IP-10 to its receptor, CXCR3, inhibit calcium flux induced byIP-10 in receptor-expressing cells and inhibit IP-10 induced cellmigration (chemotaxis). Still further, antibodies of the invention havebeen shown to bind to IP-10 in brain sections of a human subjectdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the human IP-10 comprises apolypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 121[Genbank Acc. No. NP_(—)001556]; the CXCR3 comprises a polypeptidehaving an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 122 [GenbankAcc. No. NP_(—)001495]; the rhesus monkey IP-10 comprises a polypeptidehaving an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 123 [GenbankAcc. No. AAK95955]; the mouse IP-10 comprises a polypeptide having anamino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124 [Genbank Acc. No.NP_(—)067249]; the human MIG comprises a polypeptide having an aminoacid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 125 [Genbank Acc. No.NP_(—)002407]; and/or the human ITAC comprises a polypeptide having anamino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 126 [Genbank Acc. No.NP_(—)005400].

In one embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodyspecifically binds to IP-10 and comprises a heavy chain variable regionthat is the product of or derived from a human V_(H) germline geneselected from the group consisting of a human V_(H) 3-33 gene, a humanV_(H) 3-30.3 gene, a human V_(H) 5-51 gene and a human V_(H) 4-61 gene.In another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodyspecifically binds to IP-10 and comprises a light chain variable regionthat is the product of or derived from a human V_(k) germline geneselected from the group consisting of a human V_(k) A27 gene, a humanV_(k) L15 gene, a human V_(k) L6 gene and a human V_(k) L18 gene. Instill another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodyspecifically binds to IP-10 and comprises:

-   -   (a) a heavy chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human V_(H) germline gene selected from the group        consisting of a human V_(H) 3-33 gene, a human V_(H) 3-30.3        gene, a human V_(H) 5-51 gene and a human V_(H) 4-61 gene; and    -   (b) a light chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human V_(k) germline gene selected from the group        consisting of a human V_(k) A27 gene, a human V_(k) L15 gene, a        human V_(k) L6 gene and a human V_(k) L18 gene.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodycomprises:

-   -   (a) a heavy chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human V_(H) 3-33 gene; and    -   (b) a light chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human Vk gene selected from the group consisting        of a human Vk A27, a human Vk L15 gene and a human Vk L6 gene,    -   wherein the antibody specifically binds to IP-10.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodycomprises:

-   -   (a) a heavy chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human V_(H) 3-30.3 gene; and    -   (b) a light chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human Vk L6 gene;    -   wherein the antibody specifically binds to IP-10.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodycomprises:

-   -   (a) a heavy chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human V_(H) 5-51 gene; and    -   (b) a light chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human Vk L18 gene;    -   wherein the antibody specifically binds to IP-10.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibodycomprises:

-   -   (a) a heavy chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human V_(H) 4-61 gene; and    -   (b) a light chain variable region that is the product of or        derived from a human Vk A27 gene;    -   wherein the antibody specifically binds to IP-10.

In another aspect, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, comprising a heavy chainvariable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences and a lightchain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences,wherein:

-   -   (a) the heavy chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an        amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino        acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 24-34, and conservative        modifications thereof,    -   (b) the light chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an        amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino        acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83, and conservative        modifications thereof,    -   (c) the antibody specifically binds to IP-10, and    -   (d) the antibody exhibits at least one of the following        functional properties:        -   (i) the antibody inhibits binding of IP-10 to CXCR3;        -   (ii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced calcium flux;        -   (iii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced cell migration;        -   (iv) the antibody cross-reacts with rhesus monkey IP-10;        -   (v) the antibody does not cross-react with mouse IP-10;        -   (vi) the antibody does not cross-react with human MIG;        -   (vii) the antibody does not cross-react with human ITAC.

In a preferred embodiment, the heavy chain variable region CDR2 sequencecomprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting ofamino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 13-23, and conservativemodifications thereof; and the light chain variable region CDR2 sequencecomprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting ofamino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 62-72, and conservativemodifications thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the heavy chainvariable region CDR1 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12,and conservative modifications thereof; and the light chain variableregion CDR1 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 51-61, andconservative modifications thereof. The antibody can be, for example, ahuman antibody, a humanized antibody or a chimeric antibody.

In another aspect, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, comprising a heavy chainvariable region and a light chain variable region, wherein:

-   -   (a) the heavy chain variable region comprises an amino acid        sequence that is at least 80% homologous to an amino acid        sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:        35-46,    -   (b) the light chain variable region comprises an amino acid        sequence that is at least 80% homologous to an amino acid        sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:84-94,    -   (c) the antibody specifically binds to IP-10, and    -   (d) the antibody exhibits at least one of the following        functional properties:        -   (i) the antibody inhibits binding of IP-10 to CXCR3;        -   (ii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced calcium flux;        -   (iii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced cell migration;        -   (iv) the antibody cross-reacts with rhesus monkey IP-10;        -   (v) the antibody does not cross-react with mouse IP-10;        -   (vi) the antibody does not cross-react with human MIG;        -   (vii) the antibody does not cross-react with human ITAC.

The antibody can be, for example, a human antibody, a humanized antibodyor a chimeric antibody.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the isolated monoclonalantibody, or antigen binding portion thereof comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 13-23;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 24-34;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-61;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 62-72; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83;

wherein the antibody specifically binds IP-10.

In other preferred embodiments, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof comprising:

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 35-46; and

(b) a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 84-94;

wherein the antibody specifically binds IP-10.

In another aspect of the invention, antibodies, or antigen-bindingportions thereof, are provided that compete for binding to IP-10 withany of the aforementioned antibodies.

The antibodies of the invention can be, for example, full-lengthantibodies, for example of an IgG1 or IgG4 isotype. Alternatively, theantibodies can be antibody fragments, such as Fab or Fab′2 fragments, orsingle chain antibodies.

The invention also provides an immunoconjugate comprising an antibody ofthe invention, or antigen-binding portion thereof, linked to atherapeutic agent, such as a cytotoxin or a radioactive isotope. Theinvention also provides a bispecific molecule comprising an antibody, orantigen-binding portion thereof, of the invention, linked to a secondfunctional moiety having a different binding specificity than saidantibody, or antigen binding portion thereof.

Compositions comprising an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof,or immunoconjugate or bispecific molecule of the invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, or antigen-bindingportions thereof, of the invention are also encompassed by theinvention, as well as expression vectors comprising such nucleic acidsand host cells comprising such expression vectors. Moreover, theinvention provides a transgenic mouse comprising human immunoglobulinheavy and light chain transgenes, wherein the mouse expresses anantibody of the invention, as well as hybridomas prepared from such amouse, wherein the hybridoma produces the antibody of the invention.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting aninflammatory or autoimmune response mediated by activated T cells or NKcells comprising contacting the T cells or NK cells with the antibody,or antigen-binding portion thereof, of the invention, such that theinflammatory or autoimmune response is inhibited.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating aninflammatory or autoimmune disease in a subject in need of treatmentcomprising administering to the subject the antibody, or antigen-bindingportion thereof, of the invention, such that the inflammatory orautoimmune disease in the subject is treated. The disease can be, forexample, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory boweldisease (e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), systemic lupuserythematosus, Type I diabetes, inflammatory skin disorders (e.g.,psoriasis, lichen planus), autoimmune thyroid disease (e.g., Graves'disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis), Sjogren's syndrome, pulmonaryinflammation (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,pulmonary sarcoidosis, lymphocytic alveolitis), transplant rejection,spinal cord injury, brain injury (e.g., stroke), neurodegenerativediseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), gingivitis,gene therapy-induced inflammation, diseases of angiogenesis,inflammatory kidney disease (e.g., IgA nephropathy, memranoproliferativeglomerulonephritis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis) andatherosclerosis.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating aviral or bacterial infection involving unwanted IP-10 activity in asubject in need of treatment comprising administering to the subject theantibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, of the invention, suchthat the viral or bacterial infection in the subject is treated. Forexample, the antibodies can be used to treat viral meningitis, viralencephalitis or bacterial meningitis. Viral infection to be treated bythe method of the invention can be mediated by, for example, humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), herpes simplexvirus type I (HSV-1) or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)virus.

The invention also provides methods for making “second generation”anti-IP-10 antibodies based on the sequences of the anti-IP-10antibodies provided herein. For example, the invention provides a methodfor preparing an anti-IP-10 antibody comprising:

(a) providing: (i) a heavy chain variable region antibody sequencecomprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ IDNOs: 1-12, a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ IDNOs: 13-23 and/or a CDR3 sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 24-34; and (ii) a light chain variable region antibodysequence comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 51-61, a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 62-72 and/or a CDR3 sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83;

(b) altering at least one amino acid residue within the heavy chainvariable region antibody sequence and/or the light chain variable regionantibody sequence to create at least one altered antibody sequence; and

(c) expressing the altered antibody sequence as a protein.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description and examples which should not beconstrued as limiting. The contents of all references, Genbank entries,patents and published patent applications cited throughout thisapplication are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 99) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 35) of the heavy chain variable region of the 1D4human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 1), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 13)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 24) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 1B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 110) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 84) of the light chain variable region of the 1D4human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 51), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:62) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 73) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 2A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 100) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 36) of the heavy chain variable region of the 1E1human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 14)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 25) regions are delineated and the V and J germlinederivations are indicated.

FIG. 2B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 111) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 85) of the light chain variable region of the 1E1human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 52), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:63) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 74) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 3A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 101) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 37) of the heavy chain variable region of the 2G1human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 3), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 15)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 26) regions are delineated and the V and J germlinederivations are indicated.

FIG. 3B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 112) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 86) of the light chain variable region of the 2G1human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 53), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:64) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 75) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 4A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 38) of the heavy chain variable region of the 3C4human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 4), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 16)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 27) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 4B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 113) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 87) of the light chain variable region of the 3C4human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 54), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:65) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 76) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 5A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 103) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 39) of the heavy chain variable region of the 6A5human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 5), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 17)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 28) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 5B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 114) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 88) of the light chain variable region of the 6A5human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 55), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:66) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 77) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 6A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 104) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 40) of the heavy chain variable region of the 6A8human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 6), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 18)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 29) regions are delineated and the V and J germlinederivations are indicated.

FIG. 6B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 115) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 89) of the light chain variable region of the 6A8human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 56), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:67) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 78) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 7A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 105) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 41) of the heavy chain variable region of the 6B10human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 7), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 19)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 30) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 7B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 116) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 90) of the light chain variable region of the 6B10human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 57), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:68) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 79) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 8A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 106) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 42) of the heavy chain variable region of the 7C10human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 8), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 20)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 31) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 8B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 117) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 91) of the light chain variable region of the 7C10human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 58), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:69) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 80) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 9A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 107) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 43) of the heavy chain variable region of the 8F6human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 9), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO: 21)and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 32) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 9B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 118) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 92) of the light chain variable region of the 8F6human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 59), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:70) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 81) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 10A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 108) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 44) of the heavy chain variable region of the 10A12human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 10), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:22) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 33) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated. Alternatively, amino acid residue 32within CDR1 can be mutated from cysteine to serine (SEQ ID NO: 11),leading to the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45.

FIG. 10B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 119) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 93) of the light chain variable region of the 10A12human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 60), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:71) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 82) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 11A shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 109) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 46) of the heavy chain variable region of the 13C4human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 12), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:23) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 34) regions are delineated and the V, D and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 11B shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 120) and amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 94) of the light chain variable region of the 13C4human monoclonal antibody. The CDR1 (SEQ ID NO: 61), CDR2 (SEQ ID NO:72) and CDR3 (SEQ ID NO: 83) regions are delineated and the V and Jgermline derivations are indicated.

FIG. 12 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the heavychain variable region of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 7C10 and 10A12 withthe human germline V_(H) 3-33 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 47).

FIG. 13 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the heavychain variable region of 6B 10 and 8F6 with the human germline V_(H)3-30.3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 48).

FIG. 14 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the heavychain variable region of 3C4 with the human germline V_(H) 5-51 aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 49).

FIG. 15 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the heavychain variable region of 13C4 with the human germline V_(H) 4-61 aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 50).

FIG. 16 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the lightchain variable region of 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 13C4 with thehuman germline V_(k) A27 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 95).

FIG. 17 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the lightchain variable region of 1E1, 6B10 and 8F6 with the human germline V_(k)L6 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 96).

FIG. 18 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the lightchain variable region of 3C4 with the human germline V_(k) L18 aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 97).

FIG. 19 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the lightchain variable region of 7C10 with the human germline V_(k) L15 aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 98).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to isolated monoclonal antibodies,particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically toIP-10 and that inhibit functional properties of IP-10. In certainembodiments, the antibodies of the invention are derived from particularheavy and light chain germline sequences and/or comprise particularstructural features such as CDR regions comprising particular amino acidsequences. The invention provides isolated antibodies, methods of makingsuch antibodies, immunoconjugates and bispecific molecules comprisingsuch antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions containing theantibodies, immunconjugates or bispecific molecules of the invention.The invention also relates to methods of using the antibodies to inhibitinflammatory or autoimmune responses, for example in the treatment ofvarious inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, as well as methods oftreating viral infections involving unwanted IP-10 activity.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood,certain terms are first defined. Additional definitions are set forththroughout the detailed description.

The terms “interferon gamma inducible protein 10” “IP-10,” and “CXCL10”are used interchangeably, and include variants, isoforms and specieshomologs of human IP-10. Accordingly, human antibodies of the inventionmay, in certain cases, cross-react with IP-10 from species other thanhuman. In other cases, the antibodies may be completely specific forhuman IP-10 and may not exhibit species or other types ofcross-reactivity. The complete amino acid sequence of human IP-10 hasGenbank accession number NP_(—)001556 (SEQ ID NO: 121). The completeamino acid sequence of rhesus monkey IP-10 has Genbank accession numberAAK95955 (SEQ ID NO: 123). The complete amino acid sequence of mouseIP-10 has Genbank accession number NP_(—)067249 (SEQ ID NO: 124).

The term “CXCR3” refers to the receptor for IP-10 (CXCL10). The completeamino acid sequence of human CXCR3 has Genbank accession numberNP_(—)001495 (SEQ ID NO: 122).

The term “MIG” refers to a ligand for CXCR3, also know as monokineinduced by gamma interferon, that is distinct from IP-10. The completeamino acid sequence of human MIG has Genbank accession numberNP_(—)002407 (SEQ ID NO: 125).

The term “ITAC” refers to a ligand for CXCR3, also known asinterferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant, that is distinct fromIP-10. The complete amino acid sequence of human ITAC has Genbankaccession number NP_(—)005400 (SEQ ID NO: 126).

The term “immune response” refers to the action of, for example,lymphocytes, antigen presenting cells, phagocytic cells, granulocytes,and soluble macromolecules produced by the above cells or the liver(including antibodies, cytokines, and complement) that results inselective damage to, destruction of, or elimination from the human bodyof invading pathogens, cells or tissues infected with pathogens,cancerous cells, or, in cases of autoimmunity or pathologicalinflammation, normal human cells or tissues.

A “signal transduction pathway” refers to the biochemical relationshipbetween a variety of signal transduction molecules that play a role inthe transmission of a signal from one portion of a cell to anotherportion of a cell. As used herein, the phrase “cell surface receptor”includes, for example, molecules and complexes of molecules capable ofreceiving a signal and the transmission of such a signal across theplasma membrane of a cell. An example of a “cell surface receptor” ofthe present invention is the CXCR3 receptor to which the IP-10 moleculebinds.

The term “antibody” as referred to herein includes whole antibodies andany antigen binding fragment (i.e., “antigen-binding portion”) or singlechains thereof. An “antibody” refers to a glycoprotein comprising atleast two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains inter-connected bydisulfide bonds, or an antigen binding portion thereof. Each heavy chainis comprised of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated herein asV_(H)) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constantregion is comprised of three domains, C_(H1), C_(H2) and C_(H3). Eachlight chain is comprised of a light chain variable region (abbreviatedherein as V_(L)) and a light chain constant region. The light chainconstant region is comprised of one domain, C_(L). The V_(H) and V_(L)regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability,termed complementarity determining regions (CDR), interspersed withregions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FR). EachV_(H) and V_(L) is composed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged fromamino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1,FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4. The variable regions of the heavy and lightchains contain a binding domain that interacts with an antigen. Theconstant regions of the antibodies may mediate the binding of theimmunoglobulin to host tissues or factors, including various cells ofthe immune system (e.g., effector cells) and the first component (Clq)of the classical complement system.

The term “antigen-binding portion” of an antibody (or simply “antibodyportion”), as used herein, refers to one or more fragments of anantibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen(e.g., IP-10). It has been shown that the antigen-binding function of anantibody can be performed by fragments of a full-length antibody.Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term“antigen-binding portion” of an antibody include (i) a Fab fragment, amonovalent fragment consisting of the V_(L), V_(H), C_(L) and C_(H1)domains; (ii) a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fabfragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fdfragment consisting of the V_(H) and C_(H1) domains; (iv) a Fv fragmentconsisting of the V_(L) and V_(H) domains of a single arm of anantibody, (v) a dAb fragment (Ward et al., (1989) Nature 341:544-546),which consists of a V_(H) domain; and (vi) an isolated complementaritydetermining region (CDR). Furthermore, although the two domains of theFv fragment, V_(L) and V_(H), are coded for by separate genes, they canbe joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that enablesthem to be made as a single protein chain in which the V_(L) and V_(H)regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as single chain Fv(scFv); see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; and Huston etal. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883). Such single chainantibodies are also intended to be encompassed within the term“antigen-binding portion” of an antibody. These antibody fragments areobtained using conventional techniques known to those with skill in theart, and the fragments are screened for utility in the same manner asare intact antibodies.

An “isolated antibody”, as used herein, is intended to refer to anantibody that is substantially free of other antibodies having differentantigenic specificities (e.g., an isolated antibody that specificallybinds IP-10 is substantially free of antibodies that specifically bindantigens other than IP-10). An isolated antibody that specifically bindsIP-10 may, however, have cross-reactivity to other antigens, such asIP-10 molecules from other species. Moreover, an isolated antibody maybe substantially free of other cellular material and/or chemicals.

The terms “monoclonal antibody” or “monoclonal antibody composition” asused herein refer to a preparation of antibody molecules of singlemolecular composition. A monoclonal antibody composition displays asingle binding specificity and affinity for a particular epitope.

The term “human antibody”, as used herein, is intended to includeantibodies having variable regions in which both the framework and CDRregions are derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences.Furthermore, if the antibody contains a constant region, the constantregion also is derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. Thehuman antibodies of the invention may include amino acid residues notencoded by human germline immunoglobulin sequences (e.g., mutationsintroduced by random or site-specific mutagenesis in vitro or by somaticmutation in vivo). However, the term “human antibody”, as used herein,is not intended to include antibodies in which CDR sequences derivedfrom the germline of another mammalian species, such as a mouse, havebeen grafted onto human framework sequences.

The term “human monoclonal antibody” refers to antibodies displaying asingle binding specificity which have variable regions in which both theframework and CDR regions are derived from human germline immunoglobulinsequences. In one embodiment, the human monoclonal antibodies areproduced by a hybridoma which includes a B cell obtained from atransgenic nonhuman animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, having a genomecomprising a human heavy chain transgene and a light chain transgenefused to an immortalized cell.

The term “recombinant human antibody”, as used herein, includes allhuman antibodies that are prepared, expressed, created or isolated byrecombinant means, such as (a) antibodies isolated from an animal (e.g.,a mouse) that is transgenic or transchromosomal for human immunoglobulingenes or a hybridoma prepared therefrom (described further below), (b)antibodies isolated from a host cell transformed to express the humanantibody, e.g., from a transfectoma, (c) antibodies isolated from arecombinant, combinatorial human antibody library, and (d) antibodiesprepared, expressed, created or isolated by any other means that involvesplicing of human immunoglobulin gene sequences to other DNA sequences.Such recombinant human antibodies have variable regions in which theframework and CDR regions are derived from human germline immunoglobulinsequences. In certain embodiments, however, such recombinant humanantibodies can be subjected to in vitro mutagenesis (or, when an animaltransgenic for human Ig sequences is used, in vivo somatic mutagenesis)and thus the amino acid sequences of the V_(H) and V_(L) regions of therecombinant antibodies are sequences that, while derived from andrelated to human germline V_(H) and V_(L) sequences, may not naturallyexist within the human antibody germline repertoire in vivo.

As used herein, “isotype” refers to the antibody class (e.g., IgM orIgG1) that is encoded by the heavy chain constant region genes.

The phrases “an antibody recognizing an antigen” and “an antibodyspecific for an antigen” are used interchangeably herein with the term“an antibody which binds specifically to an antigen.”

As used herein, an antibody that “specifically binds to human IP-10” isintended to refer to an antibody that binds to human IP-10 with a K_(D)of 5×10⁻⁹ M or less, more preferably 2×10⁻⁹ M or less, and even morepreferably 1×10⁻¹⁰ M or less. An antibody that “cross-reacts with rhesusmonkey IP-10” is intended to refer to an antibody that binds to rhesusmonkey IP-10 with a K_(D) of 0.5×10⁻⁸M or less, more preferably 5×10⁻⁹ Mor less, and even more preferably 2×10⁻⁹ M or less. An antibody that“does not cross-react with mouse IP-10” or “does not cross-react withhuman MIG” or “does not cross-react with human ITAC” is intended torefer to an antibody that binds to mouse IP-10, human MIG or human ITACwith a K_(D) of 1.5×10⁻⁸ M or greater, more preferably a K_(D) of5−10×10⁻⁸ M or greater and even more preferably 1×10⁻⁷ M or greater. Incertain embodiments, such antibodies that do not cross-react with mouseIP-10, human MIG and/or human ITAC exhibit essentially undetectablebinding against these proteins in standard binding assays.

As used herein, an antibody that “inhibits binding of IP-10 to CXCR3” isintended to refer to an antibody that inhibits IP-10 binding to CXCR3with a K_(i) of 1 nM or less, more preferably 0.75 nM or less, even morepreferably 0.5 nM or less and even more preferably 0.25 nM or less.

As used herein, an antibody that “inhibits IP-10 induced calcium flux”is intended to refer to an antibody that inhibits IP-10 induced calciumflux with a IC₅₀ of 10 nM or less, more preferably 7.5 nM or less, evenmore preferably 5 nM or less and even more preferably 2.5 nM or less.

As used herein, an antibody that “inhibits IP-10 induced cell migration”is intended to refer to an antibody that inhibits human IP-10 inducedcell migration with a IC₅₀ of 2 μg/ml or less, more preferably 1 μg/mlor less, even more preferably 0.5 μg/ml or less and even more preferably0.25 μg/ml or less.

The term “K_(assoc)” or “K_(a)”, as used herein, is intended to refer tothe association rate of a particular antibody-antigen interaction,whereas the term “K_(dis)” or “K_(d),” as used herein, is intended torefer to the dissociation rate of a particular antibody-antigeninteraction. The term “K_(D)”, as used herein, is intended to refer tothe dissociation constant, which is obtained from the ratio of K_(d) toK_(a) (i.e., K_(d)/K_(a)) and is expressed as a molar concentration (M).K_(D) values for antibodies can be determined using methods wellestablished in the art. A preferred method for determining the K_(D) ofan antibody is by using surface plasmon resonance, preferably using abiosensor system such as a Biacore® system.

As used herein, the term “high affinity” for an IgG antibody refers toan antibody having a K_(D) of 10⁻⁸ M or less, more preferably 10⁻⁹ M orless and even more preferably 10⁻¹⁰ M or less for a target antigen.However, “high affinity” binding can vary for other antibody isotypes.For example, “high affinity” binding for an IgM isotype refers to anantibody having a K_(D) of 10⁻⁷ M or less, more preferably 10⁻⁸ M orless.

As used herein, the term “subject” includes any human or nonhumananimal. The term “nonhuman animal” includes all vertebrates, e.g.,mammals and non-mammals, such as nonhuman primates, sheep, dogs, cats,horses, cows chickens, amphibians, reptiles, etc.

Various aspects of the invention are described in further detail in thefollowing subsections.

Anti-IP-10 Antibodies

The antibodies of the invention are characterized by particularfunctional features or properties of the antibodies. For example, theantibodies bind specifically to human IP-10. Additionally, theantibodies may cross react with IP-10 from one or more non-humanprimates, such as rhesus monkey. Preferably, the antibodies do not crossreact with mouse IP-10. Moreover, although MIG and ITAC are also ligandsfor the CXCR3 receptor, the antibodies of the invention preferably donot cross react with human MIG or human ITAC.

Preferably, an antibody of the invention binds to IP-10 with highaffinity, for example with a K_(D) of 10⁻⁸M or less or 10⁻⁹ M or less oreven 10⁻¹⁰ M or less.

Furthermore, the antibodies of the invention are capable of inhibitingone or more functional activities of IP-10. For example, in oneembodiment, the antibodies inhibit the binding of IP-10 to CXCR3. Inanother embodiment, the antibodies inhibit IP-10 induced calcium flux.In yet another embodiment, the antibodies inhibit IP-10 induced cellmigration (chemotaxis).

Standard assays to evaluate the binding ability of the antibodies towardIP-10 of various species and/or MIG or ITAC are known in the art,including for example, ELISAs, Western blots and RIAs. Suitable assaysare described in detail in the Examples. The binding kinetics (e.g.,binding affinity) of the antibodies also can be assessed by standardassays known in the art, such as by Biacore analysis. Assays to evaluatethe effects of the antibodies on functional properties of IP-10 (e.g.,receptor binding, calcium flux, chemotaxis) are described in furtherdetail in the Examples.

Accordingly, an antibody that “inhibits” one or more of these IP-10functional properties (e.g., biochemical, immunochemical, cellular,physiological or other biological activities, or the like) as determinedaccording to methodologies known to the art and described herein, willbe understood to relate to a statistically significant decrease in theparticular activity relative to that seen in the absence of the antibody(e.g., or when a control antibody of irrelevant specificity is present).Preferably an antibody that inhibits an IP-10 activity effects such astatistically significant decrease by at least 10% of the measuredparameter, more preferably by at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%or 90%, and in certain preferred embodiments an antibody of theinvention may inhibit greater than 92%, 94%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% of anIP-10 functional activity.

Monoclonal Antibodies 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6,10A12 and 13C4

Preferred antibodies of the invention are the human monoclonalantibodies 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and13C4, isolated and structurally characterized as described in Examples 1and 2. Another preferred antibody is 10A12S, in which amino acid residue32 of the heavy chain of 10A12 (within V_(H) CDR1) has been mutated froma cysteine to a serine. The V_(H) amino acid sequences of 1E1, 2G1, 3C4,6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S and 13C4 are shown in SEQ IDNOs: 35-46, respectively. The V_(L) amino acid sequences of 1E1, 2G1,3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ ID NOs:84-94, respectively.

Given that each of these antibodies can bind to IP-10, the V_(H) andV_(L) sequences can be “mixed and matched” to create other anti-IP-10binding molecules of the invention. IP-10 binding of such “mixed andmatched” antibodies can be tested using the binding assays describedabove and in the Examples (e.g., ELISAs). Preferably, when V_(H) andV_(L) chains are mixed and matched, a V_(H) sequence from a particularV_(H)/V_(L) pairing is replaced with a structurally similar V_(H)sequence. Likewise, preferably a V_(L) sequence from a particularV_(H)/V_(L) pairing is replaced with a structurally similar V_(L)sequence. For example, the V_(H) and V_(L) sequences of 1D4, 2G1, 6A5,6A8, 10A12 or 10A125 are particularly amenable for mixing and matching,since these antibodies use V_(H) and V_(L) sequences derived from thesame germline sequences (VH 3-33 and Vk A27) and thus they exhibitstructural similarity. Likewise, the V_(H) and V_(L) sequences of 6B 10and 8F6 also are particularly amenable to mixing and matching, sincethey too use V_(H) and V_(L) sequences derived from the same germlinesequences (VH 3-30.3 and Vk L6) and thus they exhibit structuralsimilarity. Alternatively, for example, the V_(H) sequence of 1D4, 2G1,6A5, 6A8, 10A12 or 10A12S can be paired with the V_(L) of 13C4, sincethe V_(H) sequences of 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 10A12S originallypaired with a V_(L) sequence of germline Vk A27 and the V_(L) sequenceof 13C4 also is derived from germline Vk A27. Likewise, the V_(L)sequence of 7C10 or 1E1 can be paired with the V_(H) of 1D4, 2G1, 6A5,6A8, 10A12 or 10A12S, since the V_(L) sequences of 7C10 and 1E1originally paired with a V_(H) sequence of germline VH 3-33 and theV_(H) sequences of 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 10A12S also are derivedfrom germline VH 3-33. It will be readily apparent to the ordinarilyskilled artisan that other V_(H)/V_(L) pairing of structurally similarsequences can be created from the V_(H) and V_(L) sequences disclosedherein for monoclonal antibodies antibodies 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5,6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof comprising:

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 35-46; and

(b) a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 84-94;

wherein the antibody specifically binds IP-10.

Preferred heavy and light chain combinations include:

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 35; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 36; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 37; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 38; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 39; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 88; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 40; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 89; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 41; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 90; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 42; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 43; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 44 or 45; and (b) a light chain variable region comprisingthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93; or

(a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 46; and (b) a light chain variable region comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94.

In another aspect, the invention provides antibodies that comprise theheavy chain and light chain CDR1s, CDR2s and CDR3s of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1,3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S and 13C4, or combinationsthereof. The amino acid sequences of the V_(H) CDR1s of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1,3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S and 13C4 are shown in SEQID NOs: 1-12. The amino acid sequences of the V_(H) CDR2s of 1D4, 1E1,2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ IDNOs: 13-23. The amino acid sequences of the V_(H) CDR3s of 1D4, 1E1,2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ IDNOs: 24-34. The amino acid sequences of the V_(k) CDR1s of 1D4, 1E1,2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ IDNOs: 51-61. The amino acid sequences of the V_(k) CDR2s of 1D4, 1E1,2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ IDNOs: 62-72. The amino acid sequences of the V_(k) CDR1s of 1D4, 1E1,2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ IDNOs: 73-83. The CDR regions are delineated using the Kabat system(Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of ImmunologicalInterest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

Given that each of these antibodies can bind to IP-10 and thatantigen-binding specificity is provided primarily by the CDR1, 2 and 3regions, the V_(H) CDR1, 2 and 3 sequences and V_(L) CDR1, 2 and 3sequences can be “mixed and matched” (i.e., CDRs from differentantibodies can be mixed and match, although each antibody must contain aV_(H) CDR1, 2 and 3 and a V_(L) CDR1, 2 and 3) to create otheranti-IP-10 binding molecules of the invention. IP-10 binding of such“mixed and matched” antibodies can be tested using the binding assaysdescribed above and in the Examples (e.g., ELISAs). Preferably, whenV_(H) CDR sequences are mixed and matched, the CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3sequence from a particular V_(H) sequence is replaced with astructurally similar CDR sequence(s). Likewise, when V_(L) CDR sequencesare mixed and matched, the CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3 sequence from aparticular V_(L) sequence preferably is replaced with a structurallysimilar CDR sequence(s). For example, the V_(H) CDR1s of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1,6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 10A12S share some structuralsimilarity and therefore are amenable to mixing and matching, whereasthe V_(H) CDR1s of 3C4 and 13C4 are not structurally similar to theV_(H) CDR1s of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and10A12S and thus should not be mixed and matched with them. It will bereadily apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan that novel V_(H) andV_(L) sequences can be created by substituting one or more V_(H) and/orV_(L) CDR region sequences with structurally similar sequences from theCDR sequences disclosed herein for monoclonal antibodies antibodies 1D4,1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof comprising:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 13-23;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 24-34;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-61;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 62-72; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83;

wherein the antibody specifically binds IP-10.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 1;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 13;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 24;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 51;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 62; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 73.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 2;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 14;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 25;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 52;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 63; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 74.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 3;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 15;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 26;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 53;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 64; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 75.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 4;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 16;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 27;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 54;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 65; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 76.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 5;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 17;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 28;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 55;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 66; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 77.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 6;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 18;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 29;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 56;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 67; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 78.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 7;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 19;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 30;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 57;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 68; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 79.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 8;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 20;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 31;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 58;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 69; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 80.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 9;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 21;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 32;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 59;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 70; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 81.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 10 or 11;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 22;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 33;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 60;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 71; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 82.

In another preferred embodiment, the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 12;

(b) a heavy chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 23;

(c) a heavy chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 34;

(d) a light chain variable region CDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 61;

(e) a light chain variable region CDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO: 72; and

(f) a light chain variable region CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 83.

Antibodies Having Particular Germline Sequences

In certain embodiments, an antibody of the invention comprises a heavychain variable region from a particular germline heavy chainimmunoglobulin gene and/or a light chain variable region from aparticular germline light chain immunoglobulin gene.

As demonstrated herein, human antibodies specific for IP-10 have beenprepared that comprise a heavy chain variable region that is the productof or derived from a human germline VH 3-33 gene, VH 3-30.3 gene, VH5-51 gene or VH 4-61 gene. Accordingly, the invention provides anisolated monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof,wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region that is theproduct of or derived from a human VH germline gene selected from thegroup consisting of: VH 3-33, VH 3-30.3, VH 5-51 and VH 4-61. Preferablythe antibody is specific for a human IP-10 polypeptide (e.g., comprisingthe sequence of Genbank Acc. No. NP_(—)001556).

Also as demonstrated herein, human antibodies specific for IP-10 havebeen prepared that comprise a light chain variable region that is theproduct of or derived from a human germline Vk A27 gene, Vk L15 gene, VkL6 gene or Vk L18 gene. Accordingly, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein theantibody comprises a light chain variable region that is the product ofor derived from a human Vk germline gene selected from the groupconsisting of: Vk A27, Vk L15, Vk L6 and Vk L18. Preferably the antibodyis specific for a human IP-10 polypeptide (e.g., comprising the sequenceof Genbank Acc. No. NP_(—)001556).

Preferred antibodies of the invention are those comprising a heavy chainvariable region that is the product of or derived from one of theabove-listed human germline VH genes and also comprising a light chainvariable region that is the product of or derived from one of theabove-listed human germline Vk genes. Accordingly, in antoherembodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody, oran antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibody comprises:

(a) a heavy chain variable region that is the product of or derived froma human VH germline gene selected from the group consisting of: VH 3-33,VH 3-30.3, VH 5-51 and VH 4-61; and

(b) a light chain variable region that is the product of or derived froma human Vk germline gene selected from the group consisting of: Vk A27,Vk L15, Vk L6 and Vk L18. Preferably the antibody is specific for ahuman IP-10 polypeptide (e.g., comprising the sequence of Genbank Acc.No. NP_(—)001556).

The invention also provides antibodies comprising preferred combinationsof heavy and light chain variable regions that are the product of orderived from particular VH and Vk germline genes. For example, in apreferred embodiment, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the antibody:

(a) comprises a heavy chain variable region that is the product of orderived from a human VH 3-33 gene (which encodes the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 47;

(b) comprises a light chain variable region that is the product of orderived from a human Vk A27, L15 or L6 gene (which encode the amino acidsequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 95, 98 and 97, respectively); and

(c) specifically binds to IP-10.

In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable regionthat is the product of or derived from a human Vk A27 gene. Examples ofantibodies having V_(H) and V_(K) of VH 3-33 and Vk A27, respectively,include 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 10A12S. In another embodiment, theantibody comprises a light chain variable region that is the product ofor derived from a human Vk L15 gene. An example of an antibody havingV_(H) and V_(K) of VH 3-33 and Vk L15, respectively, is 7C10. In anotherembodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable region of ahuman Vk L6 gene. An example of an antibody having V_(H) and V_(K) of VH3-33 and Vk L6, respectively, is 1E1.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein theantibody:

-   -   (a) comprises a heavy chain variable region of or derived from a        human VH 3-30.3 gene (which encodes the amino acid sequence set        forth in SEQ ID NO: 48);    -   (b) comprises a light chain variable region of or derived from a        human Vk L6 gene (which encodies the amino acid sequence set        forth in SEQ ID NO: 96); and    -   (c) specifically binds to IP-10.        Examples of antibodies having V_(H) and V_(K) of VH 3-30.3 and        Vk L6, respectively, include 6B10 and 8F6.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein theantibody:

-   -   (a) comprises a heavy chain variable region of or derived from a        human VH 5-51 gene (which encodes the amino acid sequence set        forth in SEQ ID NO:49);    -   (b) comprises a light chain variable region of or derived from a        human Vk L18 gene (which encodes the amino acid sequence set        forth in SEQ ID NO: 97); and    -   (c) specifically binds to IP-10.        An example of an antibody having V_(H) and V_(K) of VH 5-51 and        Vk L18, respectively, is 3C4.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention provides an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein theantibody:

-   -   (a) comprises a heavy chain variable region of or derived from a        human VH 4-61 gene (which which encodes the amino acid sequence        set forth in SEQ ID NO:50);    -   (b) comprises a light chain variable region of or derived from a        human Vk A27 gene (which encodes the amino acid sequence set        forth in SEQ ID NO: 95); and    -   (c) specifically binds to IP-10.        An example of an antibody having V_(H) and V_(K) of VH 4-61 and        Vk A27, respectively, is 13C4.

As used herein, a human antibody comprises heavy or light chain variableregions that is “the product of” or “derived from” a particular germlinesequence if the variable regions of the antibody are obtained from asystem that uses human germline immunoglobulin genes. Such systemsinclude immunizing a transgenic mouse carrying human immunoglobulingenes with the antigen of interest or screening a human immunoglobulingene library displayed on phage with the antigen of interest. A humanantibody that is “the product of” or “derived from” a human germlineimmunoglobulin sequence can be identified as such by comparing the aminoacid sequence of the human antibody to the amino acid sequences of humangermline immunoglobulins and selecting the human germline immunoglobulinsequence that is closest in sequence (i.e., greatest % identity) to thesequence of the human antibody. A human antibody that is “the productof” or “derived from” a particular human germline immunoglobulinsequence may contain amino acid differences as compared to the germlinesequence, due to, for example, naturally-occurring somatic mutations orintentional introduction of site-directed mutation. However, a selectedhuman antibody typically is at least 90% identical in amino acidssequence to an amino acid sequence encoded by a human germlineimmunoglobulin gene and contains amino acid residues that identify thehuman antibody as being human when compared to the germlineimmunoglobulin amino acid sequences of other species (e.g., murinegermline sequences). In certain cases, a human antibody may be at least95%, or even at least 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical in amino acidsequence to the amino acid sequence encoded by the germlineimmunoglobulin gene. Typically, a human antibody derived from aparticular human germline sequence will display no more than 10 aminoacid differences from the amino acid sequence encoded by the humangermline immunoglobulin gene. In certain cases, the human antibody maydisplay no more than 5, or even no more than 4, 3, 2, or 1 amino aciddifference from the amino acid sequence encoded by the germlineimmunoglobulin gene.

Homologous Antibodies

In yet another embodiment, an antibody of the invention comprises heavyand light chain variable regions comprising amino acid sequences thatare homologous to the amino acid sequences of the preferred antibodiesdescribed herein, and wherein the antibodies retain the desiredfunctional properties of the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention.

For example, the invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody, orantigen binding portion thereof, comprising a heavy chain variableregion and a light chain variable region, wherein:

-   -   (a) the heavy chain variable region comprises an amino acid        sequence that is at least 80% homologous to an amino acid        sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:        35-46;    -   (b) the light chain variable region comprises an amino acid        sequence that is at least 80% homologous to an amino acid        sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:84-94;    -   (c) the antibody specifically binds to IP-10, and    -   (d) the antibody exhibits at least one of the following        functional properties:        -   (i) the antibody inhibits binding of IP-10 to CXCR3;        -   (ii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced calcium flux;        -   (iii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced cell migration;        -   (iv) the antibody cross-reacts with rhesus monkey IP-10;        -   (v) the antibody does not cross-react with mouse IP-10;        -   (vi) the antibody does not cross-react with human MIG;        -   (vii) the antibody does not cross-react with human ITAC.            In various embodiments, the antibody may exhibit one or            more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more            or six or more of the functional properties listed as (d)            through (j) above. The antibody can be, for example, a human            antibody, a humanized antibody or a chimeric antibody.

In other embodiments, the V_(H) and/or V_(L) amino acid sequences may be85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% homologous to the sequences setforth above. An antibody having V_(H) and V_(L) regions having high(i.e., 80% or greater) homology to the V_(H) and V_(L) regions of SEQ IDNOs: 35-46 and 84-94, respectively, can be obtained by mutagenesis(e.g., site-directed or PCR-mediated mutagenesis) of nucleic acidmolecules encoding SEQ ID NOs: 35-46 and/or 84-94, followed by testingof the encoded altered antibody for retained function (i.e., thefunctions set forth in (c) through (j) above) using the functionalassays described herein.

As used herein, the percent homology between two amino acid sequences isequivalent to the percent identity between the two sequences. Thepercent identity between the two sequences is a function of the numberof identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % homology=# ofidentical positions/total # of positions x 100), taking into account thenumber of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introducedfor optimal alignment of the two sequences. The comparison of sequencesand determination of percent identity between two sequences can beaccomplished using a mathematical algorithm, as described in thenon-limiting examples below.

The percent identity between two amino acid sequences can be determinedusing the algorithm of E. Meyers and W. Miller (Comput. Appl. Biosci.,4:11-17 (1988)) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program(version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penaltyof 12 and a gap penalty of 4. In addition, the percent identity betweentwo amino acid sequences can be determined using the Needleman andWunsch (J. Mol. Biol. 48:444-453 (1970)) algorithm which has beenincorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package (availableat http://www.gcg.com), using either a Blossum 62 matrix or a PAM250matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a lengthweight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.

Additionally or alternatively, the protein sequences of the presentinvention can further be used as a “query sequence” to perform a searchagainst public databases to, for example, identify related sequences.Such searches can be performed using the XBLAST program (version 2.0) ofAltschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10. BLAST protein searchescan be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 toobtain amino acid sequences homologous to the antibody molecules of theinvention. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, GappedBLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) NucleicAcids Res. 25(17):3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLASTprograms, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g.,XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Antibodies with Conservative Modifications

In certain embodiments, an antibody of the invention comprises a heavychain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences and alight chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences,wherein one or more of these CDR sequences comprise specified amino acidsequences based on the preferred antibodies described herein (e.g., 1D4,1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S or 13C4), orconservative modifications thereof, and wherein the antibodies retainthe desired functional properties of the anti-IP-10 antibodies of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention provides an isolated monoclonalantibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, comprising a heavy chainvariable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences and a lightchain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences,wherein:

-   -   (a) the heavy chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an        amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino        acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 24-34, and conservative        modifications thereof;    -   (b) the light chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an        amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino        acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83, and conservative        modifications thereof;    -   (c) the antibody specifically binds to IP-10, and    -   (d) the antibody exhibits at least one of the following        functional properties:        -   (i) the antibody inhibits binding of IP-10 to CXCR3;        -   (ii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced calcium flux;        -   (iii) the antibody inhibits IP-10 induced cell migration;        -   (iv) the antibody cross-reacts with rhesus monkey IP-10;        -   (v) the antibody does not cross-react with mouse IP-10;        -   (vi) the antibody does not cross-react with human MIG;        -   (vii) the antibody does not cross-react with human ITAC.            In a preferred embodiment, the heavy chain variable region            CDR2 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from            the group consisting of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:            13-23, and conservative modifications thereof; and the light            chain variable region CDR2 sequence comprises an amino acid            sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid            sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 62-72, and conservative            modifications thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the            heavy chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an amino            acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino            acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, and conservative            modifications thereof; and the light chain variable region            CDR3 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from            the group consisting of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:            51-61, and conservative modifications thereof.

In various embodiments, the antibody may exhibit one or more, two ormore, three or more, four or more, five or more or six or more of thefunctional properties listed as (d) through (j) above. Such antibodiescan be, for example, human antibodies, humanized antibodies or chimericantibodies.

As used herein, the term “conservative sequence modifications” isintended to refer to amino acid modifications that do not significantlyaffect or alter the binding characteristics of the antibody containingthe amino acid sequence. Such conservative modifications include aminoacid substitutions, additions and deletions. Modifications can beintroduced into an antibody of the invention by standard techniquesknown in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediatedmutagenesis. Conservative amino acid substitutions are ones in which theamino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having asimilar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar sidechains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acidswith basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic sidechains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains(e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine,cysteine, tryptophan), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine,leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine), beta-branchedside chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic sidechains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, oneor more amino acid residues within the CDR regions of an antibody of theinvention can be replaced with other amino acid residues from the sameside chain family and the altered antibody can be tested for retainedfunction (i.e., the functions set forth in (c) through (j) above) usingthe functional assays described herein.

Antibodies that Bind to the Same Epitope as Anti-IP-10 Antibodies of theInvention

In another embodiment, the invention provides antibodies that bind tothe same epitope as do the various anti-IP-10 antibodies of theinvention provided herein, such as other human antibodies that bind tothe same epitope as the 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6,10A12, 10A12S or 13C4 antibodies described herein. Such additionalantibodies can be identified based on their ability to cross-compete(e.g., to competitively inhibit the binding of, in a statisticallysignificant manner) with other antibodies of the invention, such as 1D4,1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S or 13C4, instandard IP-10 binding assays. The ability of a test antibody to inhibitthe binding of, e.g., 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6,10A12, 10A12S or 13C4 to human IP-10 demonstrates that the test antibodycan compete with that antibody for binding to human IP-10; such anantibody may, according to non-limiting theory, bind to the same or arelated (e.g., a structurally similar or spatially proximal) epitope onhuman IP-10 as the antibody with which it competes. In a preferredembodiment, the antibody that binds to the same epitope on human IP-10as 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S or 13C4is a human monoclonal antibody. Such human monoclonal antibodies can beprepared and isolated as described in the Examples.

Engineered and Modified Antibodies

An antibody of the invention further can be prepared using an antibodyhaving one or more of the V_(H) and/or V_(L) sequences disclosed hereinas starting material to engineer a modified antibody, which modifiedantibody may have altered properties from the starting antibody. Anantibody can be engineered by modifying one or more residues within oneor both variable regions (i.e., V_(H) and/or V_(L)), for example withinone or more CDR regions and/or within one or more framework regions.Additionally or alternatively, an antibody can be engineered bymodifying residues within the constant region(s), for example to alterthe effector function(s) of the antibody.

One type of variable region engineering that can be performed is CDRgrafting. Antibodies interact with target antigens predominantly throughamino acid residues that are located in the six heavy and light chaincomplementarity determining regions (CDRs). For this reason, the aminoacid sequences within CDRs are more diverse between individualantibodies than sequences outside of CDRs. Because CDR sequences areresponsible for most antibody-antigen interactions, it is possible toexpress recombinant antibodies that mimic the properties of specificnaturally occurring antibodies by constructing expression vectors thatinclude CDR sequences from the specific naturally occurring antibodygrafted onto framework sequences from a different antibody withdifferent properties (see, e.g., Riechmann, L. et al. (1998) Nature332:323-327; Jones, P. et al. (1986) Nature 321:522-525; Queen, C. etal. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. See. U.S.A. 86:10029-10033; U.S. Pat. No.5,225,539 to Winter, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,101; 5,585,089; 5,693,762and 6,180,370 to Queen et al.)

Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention pertains to an isolatedmonoclonal antibody, or antigen binding portion thereof, comprising aheavy chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequencescomprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 1-12, SEQ ID NOs: 13-23 and SEQ ID NOs: 24-34, respectively,and a light chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3sequences comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs:51-61, SEQ ID NOs: 62-72 and SEQ ID NOs: 73-83,respectively. Thus, such antibodies contain the V_(H) and V_(L) CDRsequences of monoclonal antibodies 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10,7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A125 or 13C4 yet may contain different frameworksequences from these antibodies.

Such framework sequences can be obtained from public DNA databases orpublished references that include germline antibody gene sequences. Forexample, germline DNA sequences for human heavy and light chain variableregion genes can be found in the “VBase” human germline sequencedatabase (available on the Internet at www.mrc-cpe.cam.ac.uk/vbase), aswell as in Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins ofImmunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242; Tomlinson, I. M., et al.(1992) “The Repertoire of Human Germline V_(H) Sequences Reveals aboutFifty Groups of V_(H) Segments with Different Hypervariable Loops” J.Mol. Biol. 227:776-798; and Cox, J. P. L. et al. (1994) “A Directory ofHuman Germ-line V_(H) Segments Reveals a Strong Bias in their Usage”Eur. J. Immunol. 24:827-836; the contents of each of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

Preferred framework sequences for use in the antibodies of the inventionare those that are structurally similar to the framework sequences usedby selected antibodies of the invention, e.g., similar to the V_(H)3-33, 3-30.3, 4-61 or 5-51 sequences [SEQ ID NOS:47-50] and/or V_(k)A27, L6, L18 or L15 framework sequences [SEQ ID NOS:95-98] used bypreferred monoclonal antibodies of the invention. The V_(H) CDR1, 2 and3 sequences, and the V_(L) CDR1, 2 and 3 sequences, can be grafted ontoframework regions that have the identical sequence as that found in thegermline immunoglobulin gene from which the framework sequence derive,or the CDR sequences can be grafted onto framework regions that containone or more mutations as compared to the germline sequences. Forexample, it has been found that in certain instances it is beneficial tomutate residues within the framework regions to maintain or enhance theantigen binding ability of the antibody (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,530,101; 5,585,089; 5,693,762 and 6,180,370 to Queen et al).

Another type of variable region modification is to mutate amino acidresidues within the V_(H) and/or V_(L) CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3 regions tothereby improve one or more binding properties (e.g., affinity) of theantibody of interest. Site-directed mutagenesis or PCR-mediatedmutagenesis can be performed to introduce the mutation(s) and the effecton antibody binding, or other functional property of interest, can beevaluated in in vitro or in vivo assays as described herein and providedin the Examples. Preferably conservative modifications (as discussedabove) are introduced. The mutations may be amino acid substitutions,additions or deletions, but are preferably substitutions. Moreover,typically no more than one, two, three, four or five residues within aCDR region are altered.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, the invention provides isolatedanti-IP-10 monoclonal antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof,comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising: (a) a V_(H) CDR1region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, or an amino acid sequence having one,two, three, four or five amino acid substitutions, deletions oradditions as compared to SEQ ID NOs: 1-12; (b) a V_(H) CDR2 regioncomprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NOs: 13-23, or an amino acid sequence having one, two, three,four or five amino acid substitutions, deletions or additions ascompared to SEQ ID NOs: 13-23; (c) a V_(H) CDR3 region comprising anamino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:24-34, or an amino acid sequence having one, two, three, four or fiveamino acid substitutions, deletions or additions as compared to SEQ IDNOs: 24-34; (d) a V_(L) CDR1 region comprising an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-61, or an aminoacid sequence having one, two, three, four or five amino acidsubstitutions, deletions or additions as compared to SEQ ID NOs: 51-61;(e) a V_(L) CDR2 region comprising an amino acid sequence selected fromthe group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 62-72, or an amino acid sequencehaving one, two, three, four or five amino acid substitutions, deletionsor additions as compared to SEQ ID NOs: 62-72; and (f) a V_(L) CDR3region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83, or an amino acid sequence having one,two, three, four or five amino acid substitutions, deletions oradditions as compared to SEQ ID NOs: 73-83.

A preferred substitution mutation of the invention is the substitutionof a serine residue for the cysteine residue at position 32, withinCDR1, of the V_(H) chain of the 10A12 mAb. This modified form of 10A12is referred to herein as 10A12S. The amino acid sequence of the V_(H)chain of 10A12 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 44 and the amino acid sequence ofthe V_(H) chain of 10A12S is shown in SEQ ID NO: 45.

Engineered antibodies of the invention include those in whichmodifications have been made to framework residues within V_(H) and/orV_(L), e.g. to improve the properties of the antibody. Typically suchframework modifications are made to decrease the immunogenicity of theantibody. For example, one approach is to “backmutate” one or moreframework residues to the corresponding germline sequence. Morespecifically, an antibody that has undergone somatic mutation maycontain framework residues that differ from the germline sequence fromwhich the antibody is derived. Such residues can be identified bycomparing the antibody framework sequences to the germline sequencesfrom which the antibody is derived. For example, for 6A5, amino acidresidue #2 (within FR1) of V_(H) is a methionine whereas this residue inthe corresponding V_(H) 3-33 germline sequence is a valine (see FIG.12). To return the framework region sequences to their germlineconfiguration, the somatic mutations can be “backmutated” to thegermline sequence by, for example, site-directed mutagenesis orPCR-mediated mutagenesis (e.g., residue 2 of the V_(H) of 6A5 can be“backmutated” from methionine to valine). Such “backmutated” antibodiesare also intended to be encompassed by the invention.

Another type of framework modification involves mutating one or moreresidues within the framework region, or even within one or more CDRregions, to remove T cell epitopes to thereby reduce the potentialimmunogenicity of the antibody. This approach is also referred to as“deimmunization” and is described in further detail in U.S. PatentPublication No. 20030153043 by Carr et al.

In addition or alternative to modifications made within the framework orCDR regions, antibodies of the invention may be engineered to includemodifications within the Fc region, typically to alter one or morefunctional properties of the antibody, such as serum half-life,complement fixation, Fc receptor binding, and/or antigen-dependentcellular cytotoxicity. Furthermore, an antibody of the invention may bechemically modified (e.g., one or more chemical moieties can be attachedto the antibody) or be modified to alter its glycosylation, again toalter one or more functional properties of the antibody. Each of theseembodiments is described in further detail below. The numbering ofresidues in the Fc region is that of the EU index of Kabat.

In one embodiment, the hinge region of CH1 is modified such that thenumber of cysteine residues in the hinge region is altered, e.g.,increased or decreased. This approach is described further in U.S. Pat.No. 5,677,425 by Bodmer et al. The number of cysteine residues in thehinge region of CH1 is altered to, for example, facilitate assembly ofthe light and heavy chains or to increase or decrease the stability ofthe antibody.

In another embodiment, the Fc hinge region of an antibody is mutated todecrease the biological half life of the antibody. More specifically,one or more amino acid mutations are introduced into the CH2-CH3 domaininterface region of the Fc-hinge fragment such that the antibody hasimpaired Staphylococcyl protein A (SpA) binding relative to nativeFc-hinge domain SpA binding. This approach is described in furtherdetail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,745 by Ward et al.

In another embodiment, the antibody is modified to increase itsbiological half life. Various approaches are possible. For example, oneor more of the following mutations can be introduced: T252L, T254S,T256F, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,375 to Ward. Alternatively,to increase the biological half life, the antibody can be altered withinthe CH1 or CL region to contain a salvage receptor binding epitope takenfrom two loops of a CH2 domain of an Fc region of an IgG, as describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,869,046 and 6,121,022 by Presta et al.

In yet other embodiments, the Fc region is altered by replacing at leastone amino acid residue with a different amino acid residue to alter theeffector function(s) of the antibody. For example, one or more aminoacids selected from amino acid residues 234, 235, 236, 237, 297, 318,320 and 322 can be replaced with a different amino acid residue suchthat the antibody has an altered affinity for an effector ligand butretains the antigen-binding ability of the parent antibody. The effectorligand to which affinity is altered can be, for example, an Fc receptoror the C1 component of complement. This approach is described in furtherdetail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,624,821 and 5,648,260, both by Winter et al.

In another example, one or more amino acids selected from amino acidresidues 329, 331 and 322 can be replaced with a different amino acidresidue such that the antibody has altered C1q binding and/or reduced orabolished complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). This approach isdescribed in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,551 by Idusogie etal.

In another example, one or more amino acid residues within amino acidpositions 231 and 239 are altered to thereby alter the ability of theantibody to fix complement. This approach is described further in PCTPublication WO 94/29351 by Bodmer et al.

In yet another example, the Fc region is modified to increase theability of the antibody to mediate antibody dependent cellularcytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or to increase the affinity of the antibody foran Fcy receptor by modifying one or more amino acids at the followingpositions: 238, 239, 248, 249, 252, 254, 255, 256, 258, 265, 267, 268,269, 270, 272, 276, 278, 280, 283, 285, 286, 289, 290, 292, 293, 294,295, 296, 298, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 312, 315, 320, 322, 324, 326,327, 329, 330, 331, 333, 334, 335, 337, 338, 340, 360, 373, 376, 378,382, 388, 389, 398, 414, 416, 419, 430, 434, 435, 437, 438 or 439. Thisapproach is described further in PCT Publication WO 00/42072 by Presta.Moreover, the binding sites on human IgG1 for FcγR1, FcγRII, FcγRIII andFcRn have been mapped and variants with improved binding have beendescribed (see Shields, R. L. et al. (2001) J. Biol. Chem.276:6591-6604). Specific mutations at positions 256, 290, 298, 333, 334and 339 were shown to improve binding to FcγRIII. Additionally, thefollowing combination mutants were shown to improve FcγRIII binding:T256A/S298A, S298A/E333A, S298A/K₂₂₄A and S298A/E333A/K₃₃₄A.

In still another embodiment, the glycosylation of an antibody ismodified. For example, an aglycoslated antibody can be made (i.e., theantibody lacks glycosylation). Glycosylation can be altered to, forexample, increase the affinity of the antibody for antigen. Suchcarbohydrate modifications can be accomplished by, for example, alteringone or more sites of glycosylation within the antibody sequence. Forexample, one or more amino acid substitutions can be made that result inelimination of one or more variable region framework glycosylation sitesto thereby eliminate glycosylation at that site. Such aglycosylation mayincrease the affinity of the antibody for antigen. Such an approach isdescribed in further detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,714,350 and 6,350,861 byCo et al.

Additionally or alternatively, an antibody can be made that has analtered type of glycosylation, such as a hypofucosylated antibody havingreduced amounts of fucosyl residues or an antibody having increasedbisecting GlcNac structures. Such altered glycosylation patterns havebeen demonstrated to increase the ADCC ability of antibodies. Suchcarbohydrate modifications can be accomplished by, for example,expressing the antibody in a host cell with altered glycosylationmachinery. Cells with altered glycosylation machinery have beendescribed in the art and can be used as host cells in which to expressrecombinant antibodies of the invention to thereby produce an antibodywith altered glycosylation. For example, EP 1,176,195 by Hanai et al.describes a cell line with a functionally disrupted FUT8 gene, whichencodes a fucosyl transferase, such that antibodies expressed in such acell line exhibit hypofucosylation. PCT Publication WO 03/035835 byPresta describes a variant CHO cell line, Lec13 cells, with reducedability to attach fucose to Asn(297)-linked carbohydrates, alsoresulting in hypofucosylation of antibodies expressed in that host cell(see also Shields, R. L. et al. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277:26733-26740).PCT Publication WO 99/54342 by Umana et al. describes cell linesengineered to express glycoprotein-modifying glycosyl transferases(e.g., beta(1,4)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnTIII)) such thatantibodies expressed in the engineered cell lines exhibit increasedbisecting GlcNac structures which results in increased ADCC activity ofthe antibodies (see also Umana et al. (1999) Nat. Biotech. 17:176-180).

Another modification of the antibodies herein that is contemplated bythe invention is pegylation. An antibody can be pegylated to, forexample, increase the biological (e.g., serum) half life of theantibody. To pegylate an antibody, the antibody, or fragment thereof,typically is reacted with polyethylene glycol (PEG), such as a reactiveester or aldehyde derivative of PEG, under conditions in which one ormore PEG groups become attached to the antibody or antibody fragment.Preferably, the pegylation is carried out via an acylation reaction oran alkylation reaction with a reactive PEG molecule (or an analogousreactive water-soluble polymer). As used herein, the term “polyethyleneglycol” is intended to encompass any of the forms of PEG that have beenused to derivatize other proteins, such as mono (C1-C10) alkoxy- oraryloxy-polyethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol-maleimide. In certainembodiments, the antibody to be pegylated is an aglycosylated antibody.Methods for pegylating proteins are known in the art and can be appliedto the antibodies of the invention. See for example, EP 0 154 316 byNishimura et al. and EP 0 401 384 by Ishikawa et al.

Methods of Engineering Antibodies

As discussed above, the anti-IP-10 antibodies having V_(H) and V_(L)sequences disclosed herein can be used to create new anti-IP-10antibodies by modifying the VH and/or VL sequences, or the constantregion(s) attached thereto. Thus, in another aspect of the invention,the structural features of an anti-IP-10 antibody of the invention, e.g.1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S or 13C4,are used to create structurally related anti-IP-10 antibodies thatretain at least one functional property of the antibodies of theinvention, such as binding to human IP-10 and rhesus monkey IP-10, butnot to mouse IP-10 or human MIG or human ITAC, and also inhibiting oneor more functional properties of IP-10 (e.g., CXCR3 binding, calciumflux, chemotaxis). For example, one or more CDR regions of 1D4, 1E1,2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12, 10A12S or 13C4, or mutationsthereof, can be combined recombinantly with known framework regionsand/or other CDRs to create additional, recombinantly-engineered,anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention, as discussed above. Other typesof modifications include those described in the previous section. Thestarting material for the engineering method is one or more of the V_(H)and/or V_(L) sequences provided herein, or one or more CDR regionsthereof. To create the engineered antibody, it is not necessary toactually prepare (i.e., express as a protein) an antibody having one ormore of the V_(H) and/or V_(L) sequences provided herein, or one or moreCDR regions thereof. Rather, the information contained in thesequence(s) is used as the starting material to create a “secondgeneration” sequence(s) derived from the original sequence(s) and thenthe “second generation” sequence(s) is prepared and expressed as aprotein.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, the invention provides a method forpreparing an anti-IP-10 antibody comprising:

-   -   (a) providing: (i) a heavy chain variable region antibody        sequence comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group        consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, a CDR2 sequence selected from        the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 13-23 and/or a CDR3 sequence        selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 24-34;        and (ii) a light chain variable region antibody sequence        comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of        SEQ ID NOs: 51-61, a CDR2 sequence selected from the group        consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 62-72 and/or a CDR3 sequence selected        from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 73-83;    -   (b) altering at least one amino acid residue within the heavy        chain variable region antibody sequence and/or the light chain        variable region antibody sequence to create at least one altered        antibody sequence; and    -   (c) expressing the altered antibody sequence as a protein.

Standard molecular biology techniques can be used to prepare and expressthe altered antibody sequence.

Preferably, the antibody encoded by the altered antibody sequence(s) isone that retains one, some or all of the functional properties of theanti-IP-10 antibodies described herein, which functional propertiesinclude, but are not limited to:

-   -   (i) specifically binds to human IP-10;    -   (ii) inhibits binding of IP-10 to CXCR3;    -   (iii) inhibits IP-10 induced calcium flux;    -   (iv) inhibits IP-10 induced cell migration;    -   (v) cross-reacts with rhesus monkey IP-10;    -   (vi) does not cross-react with mouse IP-10;    -   (vii) does not cross-react with human MIG; and    -   (viii) does not cross-react with human ITAC.        The altered antibody may exhibit one or more, two or more, three        or more, four or more, five or more, six or more or seven or        more of the functional properties set forth as (i)        through (viii) above.

The functional properties of the altered antibodies can be assessedusing standard assays available in the art and/or described herein, suchas those set forth in the Examples (e.g., ELISAs, calcium flux assays,chemotaxis assays).

In certain embodiments of the methods of engineering antibodies of theinvention, mutations can be introduced randomly or selectively along allor part of an anti-IP-10 antibody coding sequence and the resultingmodified anti-IP-10 antibodies can be screened for binding activityand/or other functional properties as described herein. Mutationalmethods have been described in the art. For example, PCT Publication WO02/092780 by Short describes methods for creating and screening antibodymutations using saturation mutagenesis, synthetic ligation assembly, ora combination thereof. Alternatively, PCT Publication WO 03/074679 byLazar et al. describes methods of using computational screening methodsto optimize physiochemical properties of antibodies.

Nucleic Acid Molecules Encoding Antibodies of the Invention

Another aspect of the invention pertains to nucleic acid molecules thatencode the antibodies of the invention. The nucleic acids may be presentin whole cells, in a cell lysate, or in a partially purified orsubstantially pure form. A nucleic acid is “isolated” or “renderedsubstantially pure” when purified away from other cellular components orother contaminants, e.g., other cellular nucleic acids or proteins, bystandard techniques, including alkaline/SDS treatment, CsCl banding,column chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis and others well knownin the art. See, F. Ausubel, et al., ed. (1987) Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, Greene Publishing and Wiley Interscience, New York. Anucleic acid of the invention can be, for example, DNA or RNA and may ormay not contain intronic sequences. In a preferred embodiment, thenucleic acid is a cDNA molecule.

Nucleic acids of the invention can be obtained using standard molecularbiology techniques. For antibodies expressed by hybridomas (e.g.,hybridomas prepared from transgenic mice carrying human immunoglobulingenes as described further below), cDNAs encoding the light and heavychains of the antibody made by the hybridoma can be obtained by standardPCR amplification or cDNA cloning techniques. For antibodies obtainedfrom an immunoglobulin gene library (e.g., using phage displaytechniques), nucleic acid encoding the antibody can be recovered fromthe library.

Preferred nucleic acids molecules of the invention are those encodingthe VH and VL sequences of the 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10,8F6, 10A12 or 13C4 monoclonal antibodies. DNA sequences encoding the VHsequences of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and13C4 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 99-109, respectively. DNA sequencesencoding the VL sequences of 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10,8F6, 10A12 and 13C4 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 110-120, respectively.

Once DNA fragments encoding VH and VL segments are obtained, these DNAfragments can be further manipulated by standard recombinant DNAtechniques, for example to convert the variable region genes tofull-length antibody chain genes, to Fab fragment genes or to a scFvgene. In these manipulations, a VL- or VH-encoding DNA fragment isoperatively linked to another DNA fragment encoding another protein,such as an antibody constant region or a flexible linker. The term“operatively linked”, as used in this context, is intended to mean thatthe two DNA fragments are joined such that the amino acid sequencesencoded by the two DNA fragments remain in-frame.

The isolated DNA encoding the VH region can be converted to afull-length heavy chain gene by operatively linking the VH-encoding DNAto another DNA molecule encoding heavy chain constant regions (CH1, CH2and CH3). The sequences of human heavy chain constant region genes areknown in the art (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences ofProteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242) and DNAfragments encompassing these regions can be obtained by standard PCRamplification. The heavy chain constant region can be an IgG1, IgG2,IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgE, IgM or IgD constant region, but most preferably isan IgG1or IgG4 constant region. For a Fab fragment heavy chain gene, theVH-encoding DNA can be operatively linked to another DNA moleculeencoding only the heavy chain CH1 constant region.

The isolated DNA encoding the VL region can be converted to afull-length light chain gene (as well as a Fab light chain gene) byoperatively linking the VL-encoding DNA to another DNA molecule encodingthe light chain constant region, CL. The sequences of human light chainconstant region genes are known in the art (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., etal. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, FifthEdition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH PublicationNo. 91-3242) and DNA fragments encompassing these regions can beobtained by standard PCR amplification. The light chain constant regioncan be a kappa or lambda constant region, but most preferably is a kappaconstant region.

To create a scFv gene, the VH- and VL-encoding DNA fragments areoperatively linked to another fragment encoding a flexible linker, e.g.,encoding the amino acid sequence (Gly₄-Ser)₃, such that the VH and VLsequences can be expressed as a contiguous single-chain protein, withthe VL and VH regions joined by the flexible linker (see e.g., Bird etal. (1988) Science 242:423-426; Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; McCafferty et al., (1990) Nature 348:552-554).

Production of Monoclonal Antibodies of the Invention

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the present invention can be produced bya variety of techniques, including conventional monoclonal antibodymethodology e.g., the standard somatic cell hybridization technique ofKohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256: 495. Although somatic cellhybridization procedures are preferred, in principle, other techniquesfor producing monoclonal antibody can be employed e.g., viral oroncogenic transformation of B lymphocytes.

The preferred animal system for preparing hybridomas is the murinesystem. Hybridoma production in the mouse is a very well-establishedprocedure. Immunization protocols and techniques for isolation ofimmunized splenocytes for fusion are known in the art. Fusion partners(e.g., murine myeloma cells) and fusion procedures are also known.

Chimeric or humanized antibodies of the present invention can beprepared based on the sequence of a murine monoclonal antibody preparedas described above. DNA encoding the heavy and light chainimmunoglobulins can be obtained from the murine hybridoma of interestand engineered to contain non-murine (e.g.,. human) immunoglobulinsequences using standard molecular biology techniques. For example, tocreate a chimeric antibody, the murine variable regions can be linked tohuman constant regions using methods known in the art (see e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 4,816,567 to Cabilly et al.). To create a humanized antibody,the murine CDR regions can be inserted into a human framework usingmethods known in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539 to Winter,and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,101; 5,585,089; 5,693,762 and 6,180,370 toQueen et al.).

In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies of the invention are humanmonoclonal antibodies. Such human monoclonal antibodies directed againstIP-10 can be generated using transgenic or transchromosomic micecarrying parts of the human immune system rather than the mouse system.These transgenic and transchromosomic mice include mice referred toherein as HuMAb mice and KM mice, respectively, and are collectivelyreferred to herein as “human Ig mice.”

The HuMAb mouse® (Medarex, Inc.) contains human immunoglobulin geneminiloci that encode unrearranged human heavy (μ and γ) and κ lightchain immunoglobulin sequences, together with targeted mutations thatinactivate the endogenous μ and κ chain loci (see e.g., Lonberg, et al.(1994) Nature 368(6474): 856-859). Accordingly, the mice exhibit reducedexpression of mouse IgM or lc, and in response to immunization, theintroduced human heavy and light chain transgenes undergo classswitching and somatic mutation to generate high affinity humanIgG1(monoclonal (Lonberg, N. et al. (1994), supra; reviewed in Lonberg,N. (1994) Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 113:49-101; Lonberg, N.and Huszar, D. (1995) Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13: 65-93, and Harding, F.and Lonberg, N. (1995) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 764:536-546). Thepreparation and use of HuMab mice, and the genomic modifications carriedby such mice, is further described in Taylor, L. et al. (1992) NucleicAcids Research 20:6287-6295; Chen, J. et al. (1993) InternationalImmunology 5: 647-656; Tuaillon et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA90:3720-3724; Choi et al. (1993) Nature Genetics 4:117-123; Chen, J. etal. (1993) EMBO J. 12: 821-830; Tuaillon et al. (1994) J. Immunol.152:2912-2920; Taylor, L. et al. (1994) International Immunology 6:579-591; and Fishwild, D. et al. (1996) Nature Biotechnology 14:845-851, the contents of all of which are hereby specificallyincorporated by reference in their entirety. See further, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,789,650; 5,877,397;5,661,016; 5,814,318; 5,874,299; and 5,770,429; all to Lonberg and Kay;U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,807 to Surani et al.; PCT Publication Nos. WO92/03918, WO 93/12227, WO 94/25585, WO 97/13852, WO 98/24884 and WO99/45962, all to Lonberg and Kay; and PCT Publication No. WO 01/14424 toKorman et al.

In another embodiment, human antibodies of the invention can be raisedusing a mouse that carries human immunoglobulin sequences on transgenesand transchomosomes, such as a mouse that carries a human heavy chaintransgene and a human light chain transchromosome. Such mice, referredto herein as “KM mice”, are described in detail in PCT Publication WO02/43478 to Ishida et al.

Still further, alternative transgenic animal systems expressing humanimmunoglobulin genes are available in the art and can be used to raiseanti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention. For example, an alternativetransgenic system referred to as the Xenomouse (Abgenix, Inc.) can beused; such mice are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,939,598;6,075,181; 6,114,598; 6, 150,584 and 6,162,963 to Kucherlapati et al.

Moreover, alternative transchromosomic animal systems expressing humanimmunoglobulin genes are available in the art and can be used to raiseanti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention. For example, mice carrying botha human heavy chain transchromosome and a human light chaintranchromosome, referred to as “TC mice” can be used; such mice aredescribed in Tomizuka et al. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA97:722-727. Furthermore, cows carrying human heavy and light chaintranschromosomes have been described in the art (Kuroiwa et al. (2002)Nature Biotechnology 20:889-894) and can be used to raise anti-IP-10antibodies of the invention.

Human monoclonal antibodies of the invention can also be prepared usingphage display methods for screening libraries of human immunoglobulingenes. Such phage display methods for isolating human antibodies areestablished in the art. See for example: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,223,409;5,403,484; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,698 to Ladner et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos.5,427,908 and 5,580,717 to Dower et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,108 and6,172,197 to McCafferty et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,885,793; 6,521,404;6,544,731; 6,555,313; 6,582,915 and 6,593,081 to Griffiths et al.

Human monoclonal antibodies of the invention can also be prepared usingSCID mice into which human immune cells have been reconstituted suchthat a human antibody response can be generated upon immunization. Suchmice are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,476,996 and5,698,767 to Wilson et al.

Immunization of Human Ig Mice

When human Ig mice are used to raise human antibodies of the invention,such mice can be immunized with a purified or enriched preparation ofIP-10 antigen and/or recombinant IP-10, or an IP-10 fusion protein, asdescribed by Lonberg, N. et al. (1994) Nature 368(6474): 856-859;Fishwild, D. et al. (1996) Nature Biotechnology 14: 845-851; and PCTPublication WO 98/24884 and WO 01/14424. Preferably, the mice will be6-16 weeks of age upon the first infusion. For example, a purified orrecombinant preparation (5-50 μg) of IP-10 antigen can be used toimmunize the human Ig mice intraperitoneally.

Detailed procedures to generate fully human monoclonal antibodies toIP-10 are described in Example 1 below. Cumulative experience withvarious antigens has shown that the transgenic mice respond wheninitially immunized intraperitoneally (IP) with antigen in completeFreund's adjuvant, followed by every other week IP immunizations (up toa total of 6) with antigen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. However,adjuvants other than Freund's are also found to be effective. Inaddition, whole cells in the absence of adjuvant are found to be highlyimmunogenic. The immune response can be monitored over the course of theimmunization protocol with plasma samples being obtained by retroorbitalbleeds. The plasma can be screened by ELISA (as described below), andmice with sufficient titers of anti-IP-10 human immunoglobulin can beused for fusions. Mice can be boosted intravenously with antigen 3 daysbefore sacrifice and removal of the spleen. It is expected that 2-3fusions for each immunization may need to be performed. Between 6 and 24mice are typically immunized for each antigen. Usually both HCo7 andHCo12 strains are used. In addition, both HCo7 and HCo12 transgene canbe bred together into a single mouse having two different human heavychain transgenes (HCo7/HCo12).

Generation of Hybridomas Producing Human Monoclonal Antibodies of theInvention

To generate hybridomas producing human monoclonal antibodies of theinvention, splenocytes and/or lymph node cells from immunized mice canbe isolated and fused to an appropriate immortalized cell line, such asa mouse myeloma cell line. The resulting hybridomas can be screened forthe production of antigen-specific antibodies. For example, single cellsuspensions of splenic lymphocytes from immunized mice can be fused toone-sixth the number of P3×63-Ag8.653 nonsecreting mouse myeloma cells(ATCC, CRL 1580) with 50% PEG. Cells are plated at approximately 2×10⁵in flat bottom microtiter plate, followed by a two week incubation inselective medium containing 20% fetal Clone Serum, 18% “653” conditionedmedia, 5% origen (IGEN), 4 mM L-glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 5 mMHEPES, 0.055 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 50 units/ml penicillin, 50 mg/mlstreptomycin, 50 mg/ml gentamycin and 1×HAT (Sigma; the HAT is added 24hours after the fusion). After approximately two weeks, cells can becultured in medium in which the HAT is replaced with HT. Individualwells can then be screened by ELISA for human monoclonal IgM and IgGantibodies. Once extensive hybridoma growth occurs, medium can beobserved usually after 10-14 days. The antibody secreting hybridomas canbe replated, screened again, and if still positive for human IgG, themonoclonal antibodies can be subcloned at least twice by limitingdilution. The stable subclones can then be cultured in vitro to generatesmall amounts of antibody in tissue culture medium for characterization.

To purify human monoclonal antibodies, selected hybridomas can be grownin two-liter spinner-flasks for monoclonal antibody purification.Supernatants can be filtered and concentrated before affinitychromatography with protein A-sepharose (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.).Eluted IgG can be checked by gel electrophoresis and high performanceliquid chromatography to ensure purity. The buffer solution can beexchanged into PBS, and the concentration can be determined by OD280using 1.43 extinction coefficient. The monoclonal antibodies can bealiquoted and stored at −80° C.

Generation of Transfectomas Producing Monoclonal Antibodies of theInvention

Antibodies of the invention also can be produced in a host celltransfectoma using, for example, a combination of recombinant DNAtechniques and gene transfection methods as is well known in the art(e.g., Morrison, S. (1985) Science 229:1202).

For example, to express the antibodies, or antibody fragments thereof,DNAs encoding partial or full-length light and heavy chains, can beobtained by standard molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCRamplification or cDNA cloning using a hybridoma that expresses theantibody of interest) and the DNAs can be inserted into expressionvectors such that the genes are operatively linked to transcriptionaland translational control sequences. In this context, the term“operatively linked” is intended to mean that an antibody gene isligated into a vector such that transcriptional and translationalcontrol sequences within the vector serve their intended function ofregulating the transcription and translation of the antibody gene. Theexpression vector and expression control sequences are chosen to becompatible with the expression host cell used. The antibody light chaingene and the antibody heavy chain gene can be inserted into separatevector or, more typically, both genes are inserted into the sameexpression vector. The antibody genes are inserted into the expressionvector by standard methods (e.g., ligation of complementary restrictionsites on the antibody gene fragment and vector, or blunt end ligation ifno restriction sites are present). The light and heavy chain variableregions of the antibodies described herein can be used to createfull-length antibody genes of any antibody isotype by inserting theminto expression vectors already encoding heavy chain constant and lightchain constant regions of the desired isotype such that the V_(H)segment is operatively linked to the C_(H) segment(s) within the vectorand the V_(L) segment is operatively linked to the C_(L) segment withinthe vector. Additionally or alternatively, the recombinant expressionvector can encode a signal peptide that facilitates secretion of theantibody chain from a host cell. The antibody chain gene can be clonedinto the vector such that the signal peptide is linked in-frame to theamino terminus of the antibody chain gene. The signal peptide can be animmunoglobulin signal peptide or a heterologous signal peptide (i.e., asignal peptide from a non-immunoglobulin protein).

In addition to the antibody chain genes, the recombinant expressionvectors of the invention carry regulatory sequences that control theexpression of the antibody chain genes in a host cell. The term“regulatory sequence” is intended to include promoters, enhancers andother expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals) thatcontrol the transcription or translation of the antibody chain genes.Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel (GeneExpression Technology. Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, SanDiego, Calif. (1990)). It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the design of the expression vector, including the selection ofregulatory sequences, may depend on such factors as the choice of thehost cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired,etc. Preferred regulatory sequences for mammalian host cell expressioninclude viral elements that direct high levels of protein expression inmammalian cells, such as promoters and/or enhancers derived fromcytomegalovirus (CMV), Simian Virus 40 (SV40), adenovirus, (e.g., theadenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP) and polyoma. Alternatively,nonviral regulatory sequences may be used, such as the ubiquitinpromoter or β-globin promoter. Still further, regulatory elementscomposed of sequences from different sources, such as the SRα promotersystem, which contains sequences from the SV40 early promoter and thelong terminal repeat of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (Takebe, Y.et al. (1988) Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:466-472).

In addition to the antibody chain genes and regulatory sequences, therecombinant expression vectors of the invention may carry additionalsequences, such as sequences that regulate replication of the vector inhost cells (e.g., origins of replication) and selectable marker genes.The selectable marker gene facilitates selection of host cells intowhich the vector has been introduced (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.4,399,216, 4,634,665 and 5,179,017, all by Axel et al.). For example,typically the selectable marker gene confers resistance to drugs, suchas G418, hygromycin or methotrexate, on a host cell into which thevector has been introduced. Preferred selectable marker genes includethe dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene (for use in dhfr-host cells withmethotrexate selection/amplification) and the neo gene (for G418selection).

For expression of the light and heavy chains, the expression vector(s)encoding the heavy and light chains is transfected into a host cell bystandard techniques. The various forms of the term “transfection” areintended to encompass a wide variety of techniques commonly used for theintroduction of exogenous DNA into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic hostcell, e.g., electroporation, calcium-phosphate precipitation,DEAE-dextran transfection and the like. Although it is theoreticallypossible to express the antibodies of the invention in eitherprokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells, expression of antibodies ineukaryotic cells, and most preferably mammalian host cells, is the mostpreferred because such eukaryotic cells, and in particular mammaliancells, are more likely than prokaryotic cells to assemble and secrete aproperly folded and immunologically active antibody. Prokaryoticexpression of antibody genes has been reported to be ineffective forproduction of high yields of active antibody (Boss, M. A. and Wood, C.R. (1985) Immunology Today 6:12-13).

Preferred mammalian host cells for expressing the recombinant antibodiesof the invention include Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO cells) (includingdhfr-CHO cells, described in Urlaub and Chasin, (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 77:4216-4220, used with a DHFR selectable marker, e.g., asdescribed in R. J. Kaufman and P. A. Sharp (1982) Mol. Biol.159:601-621), NSO myeloma cells, COS cells and SP2 cells. In particular,for use with NSO myeloma cells, another preferred expression system isthe GS gene expression system disclosed in WO 87/04462, WO 89/01036 andEP 338,841. When recombinant expression vectors encoding antibody genesare introduced into mammalian host cells, the antibodies are produced byculturing the host cells for a period of time sufficient to allow forexpression of the antibody in the host cells or, more preferably,secretion of the antibody into the culture medium in which the hostcells are grown. Antibodies can be recovered from the culture mediumusing standard protein purification methods.

Characterization of Antibody Binding to Antigen

Antibodies of the invention can be tested for binding to IP-10 by, forexample, standard ELISA. Briefly, microtiter plates are coated withpurified IP-10 at 0.25 μg/ml in PBS, and then blocked with 5% bovineserum albumin in PBS. Dilutions of antibody (e.g., dilutions of plasmafrom IP-10-immunized mice) are added to each well and incubated for 1-2hours at 37° C. The plates are washed with PBS/Tween and then incubatedwith secondary reagent (e.g., for human antibodies, a goat-anti-humanIgG Fc-specific polyclonal reagent) conjugated to alkaline phosphatasefor 1 hour at 37° C. After washing, the plates are developed with pNPPsubstrate (1 mg/ml), and analyzed at OD of 405-650. Preferably, micewhich develop the highest titers will be used for fusions.

An ELISA assay as described above can also be used to screen forhybridomas that show positive reactivity with IP-10 immunogen.Hybridomas that bind with high avidity to IP-10 are subcloned andfurther characterized. One clone from each hybridoma, which retains thereactivity of the parent cells (by ELISA), can be chosen for making a5-10 vial cell bank stored at −140° C., and for antibody purification.

To purify anti-IP-10 antibodies, selected hybridomas can be grown intwo-liter spinner-flasks for monoclonal antibody purification.Supernatants can be filtered and concentrated before affinitychromatography with protein A-sepharose (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.).Eluted IgG can be checked by gel electrophoresis and high performanceliquid chromatography to ensure purity. The buffer solution can beexchanged into PBS, and the concentration can be determined by OD₂₈₀using 1.43 extinction coefficient. The monoclonal antibodies can bealiquoted and stored at −80° C.

To determine if the selected anti-IP-10 monoclonal antibodies bind tounique epitopes, each antibody can be biotinylated using commerciallyavailable reagents (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). Competition studies usingunlabeled monoclonal antibodies and biotinylated monoclonal antibodiescan be performed using IP-10 coated-ELISA plates as described above.Biotinylated mAb binding can be detected with a strep-avidin-alkalinephosphatase probe.

To determine the isotype of purified antibodies, isotype ELISAs can beperformed using reagents specific for antibodies of a particularisotype. For example, to determine the isotype of a human monoclonalantibody, wells of microtiter plates can be coated with 1 μg/ml ofanti-human immunoglobulin overnight at 4° C. After blocking with 1% BSA,the plates are reacted with 1 μg/ml or less of test monoclonalantibodies or purified isotype controls, at ambient temperature for oneto two hours. The wells can then be reacted with either human IgG1 orhuman IgM-specific alkaline phosphatase-conjugated probes. Plates aredeveloped and analyzed as described above.

Anti-IP-10 human IgGs can be further tested for reactivity with IP-10antigen by Western blotting. Briefly, IP-10 can be prepared andsubjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.After electrophoresis, the separated antigens are transferred tonitrocellulose membranes, blocked with 10% fetal calf serum, and probedwith the monoclonal antibodies to be tested. Human IgG binding can bedetected using anti-human IgG alkaline phosphatase and developed withBCIP/NBT substrate tablets (Sigma Chem. Co., St. Louis, Mo.).

Immunoconjugates

In another aspect, the present invention features an anti-IP-10antibody, or a fragment thereof, conjugated to a therapeutic moiety,such as a cytotoxin, a drug (e.g., an immunosuppressant) or aradiotoxin. Such conjugates are referred to herein as “immunoconjugates”Immunoconjugates that include one or more cytotoxins are referred to as“immunotoxins.” A cytotoxin or cytotoxic agent includes any agent thatis detrimental to (e.g., kills) cells. Examples include taxol,cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin,etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin,daunorubicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin,actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine,tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, and puromycin and analogs orhomologs thereof. Therapeutic agents also include, for example,antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine,cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g.,mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) andlomustine (CCNU), cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol,streptozotocin, mitomycin C, and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP)cisplatin), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) anddoxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin),bleomycin, mithramycin, and anthramycin (AMC)), and anti-mitotic agents(e.g., vincristine and vinblastine).

Other preferred examples of therapeutic cytotoxins that can beconjugated to an antibody of the invention include duocarmycins,calicheamicins, maytansines and auristatins, and derivatives thereof. Anexample of a calicheamicin antibody conjugate is commercially available(Mylotarg™; Wyeth-Ayerst).

Cytoxins can be conjugated to antibodies of the invention using linkertechnology available in the art. Examples of linker types that have beenused to conjugate a cytotoxin to an antibody include, but are notlimited to, hydrazones, thioethers, esters, disulfides andpeptide-containing linkers. A linker can be chosen that is, for example,susceptible to cleavage by low pH within the lysosomal compartment orsusceptible to cleavage by proteases, such as proteases preferentiallyexpressed in tumor tissue such as cathepsins (e.g., cathepsins B, C, D).

For further discussion of types of cytotoxins, linkers and methods forconjugating therapeutic agents to antibodies, see also Saito, G. et al.(2003) Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 55:199-215; Trail, P. A. et al. (2003)Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 52:328-337; Payne, G. (2003) Cancer Cell3:207-212; Allen, T. M. (2002) Nat. Rev. Cancer 2:750-763; Pastan, I.and Kreitman, R. J. (2002) Curr. Opin. Investig. Drugs 3:1089-1091;Senter, P. D. and Springer, C. J. (2001) Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev.53:247-264.

Antibodies of the present invention also can be conjugated to aradioactive isotope to generate cytotoxic radiopharmaceuticals, alsoreferred to as radioimmunoconjugates. Examples of radioactive isotopesthat can be conjugated to antibodies for use diagnostically ortherapeutically include, but are not limited to, iodine¹³¹, indium¹¹¹,yttrium⁹⁰ and lutetium¹⁷⁷. Method for preparing radioimmunconjugates areestablished in the art. Examples of radioimmunoconjugates arecommercially available, including Zevalin™ (IDEC Pharmaceuticals) andBexxar™ (Corixa Pharmaceuticals), and similar methods can be used toprepare radioimmunoconjugates using the antibodies of the invention.

The antibody conjugates of the invention can be used to modify a givenbiological response, and the drug moiety is not to be construed aslimited to classical chemical therapeutic agents. For example, the drugmoiety may be a protein or polypeptide possessing a desired biologicalactivity. Such proteins may include, for example, an enzymaticallyactive toxin, or active fragment thereof, such as abrin, ricin A,pseudomonas exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin; a protein such as tumornecrosis factor or interferon-γ; or, biological response modifiers suchas, for example, lymphokines, interleukin-1 (“IL-1”), interleukin-2(“IL-2”), interleukin-6 (“IL-6”), granulocyte macrophage colonystimulating factor (“GM-CSF”), granulocyte colony stimulating factor(“G-CSF”), or other growth factors.

Techniques for conjugating such therapeutic moiety to antibodies arewell known, see, e.g., Amon et al., “Monoclonal Antibodies ForImmunotargeting Of Drugs In Cancer Therapy”, in Monoclonal AntibodiesAnd Cancer Therapy, Reisfeld et al. (eds.), pp. 243-56 (Alan R. Liss,Inc. 1985); Hellstrom et al., “Antibodies For Drug Delivery”, inControlled Drug Delivery (2nd Ed.), Robinson et al. (eds.), pp. 623-53(Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1987); Thorpe, “Antibody Carriers Of CytotoxicAgents In Cancer Therapy: A Review”, in Monoclonal Antibodies '84:Biological And Clinical Applications, Pinchera et al. (eds.), pp.475-506 (1985); “Analysis, Results, And Future Prospective Of TheTherapeutic Use Of Radiolabeled Antibody In Cancer Therapy”, inMonoclonal Antibodies For Cancer Detection And Therapy, Baldwin et al.(eds.), pp. 303-16 (Academic Press 1985), and Thorpe et al., “ThePreparation And Cytotoxic Properties Of Antibody-Toxin Conjugates”,Immunol. Rev., 62:119-58 (1982).

Bispecific Molecules

In another aspect, the present invention features bispecific moleculescomprising an anti-IP-10 antibody, or a fragment thereof, of theinvention. An antibody of the invention, or antigen-binding portionsthereof, can be derivatized or linked to another functional molecule,e.g., another peptide or protein (e.g., another antibody or ligand for areceptor) to generate a bispecific molecule that binds to at least twodifferent binding sites or target molecules. The antibody of theinvention may in fact be derivatized or linkd to more than one otherfunctional molecule to generate multispecific molecules that bind tomore than two different binding sites and/or target molecules; suchmultispecific molecules are also intended to be encompassed by the term“bispecific molecule” as used herein. To create a bispecific molecule ofthe invention, an antibody of the invention can be functionally linked(e.g., by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, noncovalent association orotherwise) to one or more other binding molecules, such as anotherantibody, antibody fragment, peptide or binding mimetic, such that abispecific molecule results.

Accordingly, the present invention includes bispecific moleculescomprising at least one first binding specificity for IP-10 and a secondbinding specificity for a second target epitope. In a particularembodiment of the invention, the second target epitope is an Fcreceptor, e.g., human FcγRI (CD64) or a human Fcα receptor (CD89).Therefore, the invention includes bispecific molecules capable ofbinding both to FcγR, FcαR or FcεR expressing effector cells (e.g.,monocytes, macrophages or polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)), and to targetcells expressing IP-10. These bispecific molecules target IP-10expressing cells to effector cell and trigger Fc receptor-mediatedeffector cell activities, such as phagocytosis of an IP-10 expressingcells, antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), cytokinerelease, or generation of superoxide anion.

In an embodiment of the invention in which the bispecific molecule ismultispecific, the molecule can further include a third bindingspecificity, in addition to an anti-Fc binding specificity and ananti-IP-10 binding specificity. In one embodiment, the third bindingspecificity is an anti-enhancement factor (EF) portion, e.g., a moleculewhich binds to a surface protein involved in cytotoxic activity andthereby increases the immune response against the target cell. The“anti-enhancement factor portion” can be an antibody, functionalantibody fragment or a ligand that binds to a given molecule, e.g., anantigen or a receptor, and thereby results in an enhancement of theeffect of the binding determinants for the F_(C) receptor or target cellantigen. The “anti-enhancement factor portion” can bind an F_(C)receptor or a target cell antigen. Alternatively, the anti-enhancementfactor portion can bind to an entity that is different from the entityto which the first and second binding specificities bind. For example,the anti-enhancement factor portion can bind a cytotoxic T-cell (e.g.via CD2, CD3, CD8, CD28, CD4, CD40, ICAM-1 or other immune cell thatresults in an increased immune response against the target cell).

In one embodiment, the bispecific molecules of the invention comprise asa binding specificity at least one antibody, or an antibody fragmentthereof, including, e.g., an Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, Fv, or a single chainFv. The antibody may also be a light chain or heavy chain dimer, or anyminimal fragment thereof such as a Fv or a single chain construct asdescribed in Ladner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778, the contents ofwhich is expressly incorporated by reference.

In one embodiment, the binding specificity for an Fcγ receptor isprovided by a monoclonal antibody, the binding of which is not blockedby human immunoglobulin G (IgG). As used herein, the term “IgG receptor”refers to any of the eight γ-chain genes located on chromosome 1. Thesegenes encode a total of twelve transmembrane or soluble receptorisoforms which are grouped into three Fcγ receptor classes: FcγRI(CD64), FcγRII(CD32), and FcγRIII (CD16). In one preferred embodiment,the Fcγ receptor a human high affinity FcγRI. The human FcγRI is a 72kDa molecule, which shows high affinity for monomeric IgG (10⁸-10⁹M⁻¹).

The production and characterization of certain preferred anti-Fcymonoclonal antibodies are described by Fanger et al. in PCT PublicationWO 88/00052 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,617, the teachings of which arefully incorporated by reference herein. These antibodies bind to anepitope of FcγRI, FcγRII or FcγRIII at a site which is distinct from theFcγ binding site of the receptor and, thus, their binding is not blockedsubstantially by physiological levels of IgG. Specific anti-FcγRIantibodies useful in this invention are mAb 22, mAb 32, mAb 44, mAb 62and mAb 197. The hybridoma producing mAb 32 is available from theAmerican Type Culture Collection, ATCC Accession No. HB9469. In otherembodiments, the anti-Fcy receptor antibody is a humanized form ofmonoclonal antibody 22 (H22). The production and characterization of theH22 antibody is described in Graziano, R. F. et al. (1995) J. Immunol155 (10): 4996-5002 and PCT Publication WO 94/10332. The H22 antibodyproducing cell line was deposited at the American Type CultureCollection under the designation HA022CL1 and has the accession no. CRL11177.

In still other preferred embodiments, the binding specificity for an Fcreceptor is provided by an antibody that binds to a human IgA receptor,e.g., an Fc-alpha receptor (FcαRI (CD89)), the binding of which ispreferably not blocked by human immunoglobulin A (IgA). The term “IgAreceptor” is intended to include the gene product of one α-gene (FcαRI)located on chromosome 19. This gene is known to encode severalalternatively spliced transmembrane isoforms of 55 to 110 kDa. Fax RI(CD89) is constitutively expressed on monocytes/macrophages,eosinophilic and neutrophilic granulocytes, but not on non-effector cellpopulations. FcαRI has medium affinity (=5×10⁷M⁻¹) for both IgA1 andIgA2, which is increased upon exposure to cytokines such as G-CSF orGM-CSF (Morton, H. C. et al. (1996) Critical Reviews in Immunology16:423-440). Four FcαRI-specific monoclonal antibodies, identified asA3, A59, A62 and A77, which bind FcαRI outside the IgA ligand bindingdomain, have been described (Monteiro, R. C. et al. (1992) J. Immunol.148:1764).

FcαRI and FcγRI are preferred trigger receptors for use in thebispecific molecules of the invention because they are (1) expressedprimarily on immune effector cells, e.g., monocytes, PMNs, macrophagesand dendritic cells; (2) expressed at high levels (e.g., 5,000-100,000per cell); (3) mediators of cytotoxic activities (e.g., ADCC,phagocytosis); (4) mediate enhanced antigen presentation of antigens,including self-antigens, targeted to them.

While human monoclonal antibodies are preferred, other antibodies whichcan be employed in the bispecific molecules of the invention are murine,chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies.

The bispecific molecules of the present invention can be prepared byconjugating the constituent binding specificities, e.g., the anti-FcRand anti-IP-10 binding specificities, using methods known in the art.For example, each binding specificity of the bispecific molecule can begenerated separately and then conjugated to one another. When thebinding specificities are proteins or peptides, a variety of coupling orcross-linking agents can be used for covalent conjugation. Examples ofcross-linking agents include protein A, carbodiimide,N-succinimidyl-5-acetyl-thioacetate (SATA),5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), o-phenylenedimaleimide(oPDM), N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP), andsulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohaxane-1-carboxylate(sulfo-SMCC) (see e.g., Karpovsky et al. (1984) J. Exp. Med. 160:1686;Liu, M A et al. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:8648). Othermethods include those described in Paulus (1985) Behring Ins. Mitt. No.78, 118-132; Brennan et al. (1985) Science 229:81-83), and Glennie etal. (1987) J. Immunol. 139: 2367-2375). Preferred conjugating agents areSATA and sulfo-SMCC, both available from Pierce Chemical Co. (Rockford,Ill.).

When the binding specificities are antibodies, they can be conjugatedvia sulfhydryl bonding of the C-terminus hinge regions of the two heavychains. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hinge region ismodified to contain an odd number of sulfhydryl residues, preferablyone, prior to conjugation.

Alternatively, both binding specificities can be encoded in the samevector and expressed and assembled in the same host cell. This method isparticularly useful where the bispecific molecule is a mAb×mAb, mAb×Fab,Fab×F(ab′)₂ or ligand x Fab fusion protein. A bispecific molecule of theinvention can be a single chain molecule comprising one single chainantibody and a binding determinant, or a single chain bispecificmolecule comprising two binding determinants. Bispecific molecules maycomprise at least two single chain molecules. Methods for preparingbispecific molecules are described for example in U.S. Pat. No.5,260,203; U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,030; U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,175; U.S. Pat.No. 5,132,405; U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,513; U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,786; U.S.Pat. No. 5,013,653; U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,498; and U.S. Pat. No.5,482,858.

Binding of the bispecific molecules to their specific targets can beconfirmed by, for example, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),radioimmunoassay (RIA), FACS analysis, bioassay (e.g., growthinhibition), or Western Blot assay. Each of these assays generallydetects the presence of protein-antibody complexes of particularinterest by employing a labeled reagent (e.g., an antibody) specific forthe complex of interest. For example, the FcR-antibody complexes can bedetected using e.g., an enzyme-linked antibody or antibody fragmentwhich recognizes and specifically binds to the antibody-FcR complexes.Alternatively, the complexes can be detected using any of a variety ofother immunoassays. For example, the antibody can be radioactivelylabeled and used in a radioimmunoassay (RIA) (see, for example,Weintraub, B., Principles of Radioimmunoassays, Seventh Training Courseon Radioligand Assay Techniques, The Endocrine Society, March, 1986,which is incorporated by reference herein). The radioactive isotope canbe detected by such means as the use of a γ counter or a scintillationcounter or by autoradiography.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition, e.g., apharmaceutical composition, containing one or a combination ofmonoclonal antibodies, or antigen-binding portion(s) thereof, of thepresent invention, formulated together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier. Such compositions may include one or a combinationof (e.g., two or more different) antibodies, or immunoconjugates orbispecific molecules of the invention. For example, a pharmaceuticalcomposition of the invention can comprise a combination of antibodies(or immunoconjugates or bispecifics) that bind to different epitopes onthe target antigen or that have complementary activities.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention also can be administered incombination therapy, i.e., combined with other agents. For example, thecombination therapy can include an anti-IP-10 antibody of the presentinvention combined with at least one other anti-inflammatory orimmunosuppressant agent. Examples of therapeutic agents that can be usedin combination therapy are described in greater detail below in thesection on uses of the antibodies of the invention.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any andall solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungalagents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that arephysiologically compatible. Preferably, the carrier is suitable forintravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal orepidermal administration (e.g., by injection or infusion). Depending onthe route of administration, the active compound, i.e., antibody,immunoconjuage, or bispecific molecule, may be coated in a material toprotect the compound from the action of acids and other naturalconditions that may inactivate the compound.

The pharmaceutical compounds of the invention may include one or morepharmaceutically acceptable salts. A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt”refers to a salt that retains the desired biological activity of theparent compound and does not impart any undesired toxicological effects(see e.g., Berge, S. M., et al. (1977) J. Pharm. Sci. 66:1-19). Examplesof such salts include acid addition salts and base addition salts. Acidaddition salts include those derived from nontoxic inorganic acids, suchas hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic,phosphorous and the like, as well as from nontoxic organic acids such asaliphatic mono- and dicarboxylic acids, phenyl-substituted alkanoicacids, hydroxy alkanoic acids, aromatic acids, aliphatic and aromaticsulfonic acids and the like. Base addition salts include those derivedfrom alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium,calcium and the like, as well as from nontoxic organic amines, such asN,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, chloroprocaine,choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, procaine and the like.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention also may include apharmaceutically acceptable anti-oxidant. Examples of pharmaceuticallyacceptable antioxidants include: (1) water soluble antioxidants, such asascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodiummetabisulfite, sodium sulfite and the like; (2) oil-solubleantioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole(BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate,alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3) metal chelating agents, such ascitric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaricacid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers that may beemployed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includewater, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol,polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof,vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, suchas ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by theuse of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of therequired particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use ofsurfactants.

These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives,wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention ofpresence of microorganisms may be ensured both by sterilizationprocedures, supra, and by the inclusion of various antibacterial andantifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbicacid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents,such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. Inaddition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form maybe brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption suchas aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutionsor dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation ofsterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media andagents for pharmaceutically active substances is known in the art.Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible withthe active compound, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions ofthe invention is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can alsobe incorporated into the compositions.

Therapeutic compositions typically must be sterile and stable under theconditions of manufacture and storage. The composition can be formulatedas a solution, microemulsion, liposome, or other ordered structuresuitable to high drug concentration. The carrier can be a solvent ordispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (forexample, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, andthe like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can bemaintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, bythe maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersionand by the use of surfactants. In many cases, it will be preferable toinclude isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such asmannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Prolongedabsorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about byincluding in the composition an agent that delays absorption, forexample, monostearate salts and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the activecompound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or acombination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed bysterilization microfiltration. Generally, dispersions are prepared byincorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains abasic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from thoseenumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation ofsterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation arevacuum drying and freeze-drying (lyophilization) that yield a powder ofthe active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from apreviously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

The amount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carriermaterial to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon thesubject being treated, and the particular mode of administration. Theamount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carriermaterial to produce a single dosage form will generally be that amountof the composition which produces a therapeutic effect. Generally, outof one hundred percent, this amount will range from about 0.01 percentto about ninety-nine percent of active ingredient, preferably from about0.1 percent to about 70 percent, most preferably from about 1 percent toabout 30 percent of active ingredient in combination with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the optimum desired response(e.g., a therapeutic response). For example, a single bolus may beadministered, several divided doses may be administered over time or thedose may be proportionally reduced or increased as indicated by theexigencies of the therapeutic situation. It is especially advantageousto formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease ofadministration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used hereinrefers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for thesubjects to be treated; each unit contains a predetermined quantity ofactive compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect inassociation with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specificationfor the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directlydependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active compound andthe particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) thelimitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compoundfor the treatment of sensitivity in individuals.

For administration of the antibody, the dosage ranges from about 0.0001to 100 mg/kg, and more usually 0.01 to 5 mg/kg, of the host body weight.For example dosages can be 0.3 mg/kg body weight, 1 mg/kg body weight, 3mg/kg body weight, 5 mg/kg body weight or 10 mg/kg body weight or withinthe range of 1-10 mg/kg. An exemplary treatment regime entailsadministration once per week, once every two weeks, once every threeweeks, once every four weeks, once a month, once every 3 months or onceevery three to 6 months. Preferred dosage regimens for an anti-IP-10antibody of the invention include 1 mg/kg body weight or 3 mg/kg bodyweight via intravenous administration, with the antibody being givenusing one of the following dosing schedules: (i) every four weeks forsix dosages, then every three months; (ii) every three weeks; (iii) 3mg/kg body weight once followed by 1 mg/kg body weight every threeweeks.

In some methods, two or more monoclonal antibodies with differentbinding specificities are administered simultaneously, in which case thedosage of each antibody administered falls within the ranges indicated.Antibody is usually administered on multiple occasions. Intervalsbetween single dosages can be, for example, weekly, monthly, every threemonthgs or yearly. Intervals can also be irregular as indicated bymeasuring blood levels of antibody to the target antigen in the patient.In some methods, dosage is adjusted to achieve a plasma antibodyconcentration of about 1-1000 μg/ml and in some methods about 25-300μg/ml.

Alternatively, antibody can be administered as a sustained releaseformulation, in which case less frequent administration is required.Dosage and frequency vary depending on the half-life of the antibody inthe patient. In general, human antibodies show the longest half life,followed by humanized antibodies, chimeric antibodies, and nonhumanantibodies. The dosage and frequency of administration can varydepending on whether the treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic. Inprophylactic applications, a relatively low dosage is administered atrelatively infrequent intervals over a long period of time. Somepatients continue to receive treatment for the rest of their lives. Intherapeutic applications, a relatively high dosage at relatively shortintervals is sometimes required until progression of the disease isreduced or terminated, and preferably until the patient shows partial orcomplete amelioration of symptoms of disease. Thereafter, the patientcan be administered a prophylactic regime.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention may be varied so as to obtain anamount of the active ingredient which is effective to achieve thedesired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, andmode of administration, without being toxic to the patient. The selecteddosage level will depend upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factorsincluding the activity of the particular compositions of the presentinvention employed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route ofadministration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of theparticular compound being employed, the duration of the treatment, otherdrugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with theparticular compositions employed, the age, sex, weight, condition,general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated,and like factors well known in the medical arts.

A “therapeutically effective dosage” of an anti-IP-10 antibody of theinvention preferably results in a decrease in severity of diseasesymptoms, an increase in frequency and duration of disease symptom-freeperiods, or a prevention of impairment or disability due to the diseaseaffliction. In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a therapeuticallyeffective dose preferably prevents further deterioration of physicalsymptoms associated with RA, such as, for example, pain, fatigue,morning stiffness (lasting more than one hour), diffuse muscular aches,loss of appetite, weakness, joint pain with warmth, swelling,tenderness, and stiffness of a joint after inactivity. A therapeuticallyeffective dose preferably also prevents or delays onset of RA, such asmay be desired when early or preliminary signs of the disease arepresent. Likewise it includes delaying chronic progression associatedwith RA. Laboratory tests utilized in the diagnosis of RA includechemistries (including the measurement of IP-10 levels), hematology,serology and radiology. Accordingly, any clinical or biochemical assaythat monitors any of the foregoing may be used to determine whether aparticular treatment is a therapeutically effective dose for treatingRA. One of ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine suchamounts based on such factors as the subject's size, the severity of thesubject's symptoms, and the particular composition or route ofadministration selected.

A composition of the present invention can be administered via one ormore routes of administration using one or more of a variety of methodsknown in the art. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, theroute and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desiredresults. Preferred routes of administration for antibodies of theinvention include intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal,intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, spinal or other parenteral routes ofadministration, for example by injection or infusion. The phrase“parenteral administration” as used herein means modes of administrationother than enteral and topical administration, usually by injection, andincludes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial,intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal,intraperitoneal, transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular,intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural andintrasternal injection and infusion.

Alternatively, an antibody of the invention can be administered via anon-parenteral route, such as a topical, epidermal or mucosal route ofadministration, for example, intranasally, orally, vaginally, rectally,sublingually or topically.

The active compounds can be prepared with carriers that will protect thecompound against rapid release, such as a controlled releaseformulation, including implants, transdermal patches, andmicroencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatiblepolymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides,polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Manymethods for the preparation of such formulations are patented orgenerally known to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., Sustained andControlled Release Drug Delivery Systems, J. R. Robinson, ed., MarcelDekker, Inc., New York, 1978.

Therapeutic compositions can be administered with medical devices knownin the art. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a therapeuticcomposition of the invention can be administered with a needlelesshypodermic injection device, such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,399,163; 5,383,851; 5,312,335; 5,064,413; 4,941,880; 4,790,824;or 4,596,556. Examples of well-known implants and modules useful in thepresent invention include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,603, which discloses animplantable micro-infusion pump for dispensing medication at acontrolled rate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,194, which discloses a therapeuticdevice for administering medicants through the skin; U.S. Pat. No.4,447,233, which discloses a medication infusion pump for deliveringmedication at a precise infusion rate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,224, whichdiscloses a variable flow implantable infusion apparatus for continuousdrug delivery; U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,196, which discloses an osmotic drugdelivery system having multi-chamber compartments; and U.S. Pat. No.4,475,196, which discloses an osmotic drug delivery system. Thesepatents are incorporated herein by reference. Many other such implants,delivery systems, and modules are known to those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, the human monoclonal antibodies of the inventioncan be formulated to ensure proper distribution in vivo. For example,the blood-brain barrier (BBB) excludes many highly hydrophiliccompounds. To ensure that the therapeutic compounds of the inventioncross the BBB (if desired), they can be formulated, for example, inliposomes. For methods of manufacturing liposomes, see, e.g., U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,522,811; 5,374,548; and 5,399,331. The liposomes may comprise oneor more moieties which are selectively transported into specific cellsor organs, thus enhance targeted drug delivery (see, e.g., V.V. Ranade(1989) J. Clin. Pharmacol. 29:685). Exemplary targeting moieties includefolate or biotin (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,016 to Low et al.);mannosides (Umezawa et al., (1988) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.153:1038); antibodies (P. G. Bloeman et al. (1995) FEBS Lett. 357:140;M. Owais et al. (1995) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 39:180); surfactantprotein A receptor (Briscoe et al. (1995) Am. J. Physiol. 1233:134);p120 (Schreier et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:9090); see also K.Keinanen; M. L. Laukkanen (1994) FEBS Lett. 346:123; J. J. Killion; I.J. Fidler (1994) Immunomethods 4:273.

Uses and Methods of the Invention

The antibodies (and immunoconjugates and bispecific molecules) of thepresent invention have in vitro and in vivo diagnostic and therapeuticutilities. For example, these molecules can be administered to cells inculture, e.g. in vitro or ex vivo, or in a subject, e.g., in vivo, totreat, prevent or diagnose a variety of disorders. The term “subject” asused herein in intended to includes human and non-human animals.Non-human animals includes all vertebrates, e.g., mammals andnon-mammals, such as non-human primates, sheep, dogs, cats, cows,horses, chickens, amphibians, and reptiles. The methods are particularlysuitable for treating human patients having a disorder associated withaberrant IP-10 expression. When antibodies to IP-10 are administeredtogether with another agent, the two can be administered in either orderor simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the antibodies (and immunoconjugates and bispecificmolecules) of the invention can be used to detect levels of IP-10, orlevels of cells that contain IP-10. This can be achieved, for example,by contacting a sample (such as an in vitro sample) and a control samplewith the anti-IP-10 antibody under conditions that allow for theformation of a complex between the antibody and IP-10. Any complexesformed between the antibody and IP-10 are detected and compared in thesample and the control. For example, standard detection methods,well-known in the art, such as ELISA and flow cytometic assays, can beperformed using the compositions of the invention.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention further provides methods fordetecting the presence of IP-10 (e.g., human IP-10 antigen) in a sample,or measuring the amount of IP-10, comprising contacting the sample, anda control sample, with an antibody of the invention, or an antigenbinding portion thereof, which specifically binds to IP-10, underconditions that allow for formation of a complex between the antibody orportion thereof and IP-10. The formation of a complex is then detected,wherein a difference in complex formation between the sample compared tothe control sample is indicative of the presence of IP-10 in the sample.

Also within the scope of the invention are kits comprising thecompositions (e.g., antibodies, human antibodies, immunoconjugates andbispecific molecules) of the invention and instructions for use. The kitcan further contain a least one additional reagent, or one or moreadditional antibodies of the invention (e.g., an antibody having acomplementary activity which binds to an epitope on the target antigendistinct from the first antibody). Kits typically include a labelindicating the intended use of the contents of the kit. The term labelincludes any writing, or recorded material supplied on or with the kit,or which otherwise accompanies the kit.

IP-10 is know to have a chemoattractant effect on activated T cells andNK cells and to recruit such cells to sites of inflammation andautoimmune responses. Accordingly, the anti-IP-10 antibodies (andimmunoconjugates and bispecific molecules) of the invention can be usedto inhibit inflammatory or autoimmune response mediated by activated Tcells and/or NK cells in a variety of clinical indications. Theinvention, therefore, provides a method of inhibiting an inflammatory orautoimmune response mediated by activated T cells and/or NK cellscomprising contacting the T cells or NK cells with an antibody, orantigen-binding portion thereof, of the invention (or immunconjugate orbispecific molecule of the invention) such that the inflammatory orautoimmune response is inhibited. Specific examples of inflammatory orautoimmune conditions in which the antibodies of the invention can beused include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Diseases

Expression of IP-10 mRNA has been shown to be increased in murineexperimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiplesclerosis (Godiska, R. et al. (1995) J. Neuroimmunol. 58:167-176).Moreover, increased levels of IP-10 have been found in the cerebrospinalfluid of MS patients during acute demyelinating events (Sorensen, T. L.et al. (1999) J. Clin. Invest. 103:807-815; Franciotta et al. (2001) J.Neuroimmunol. 115:192-198). IP-10 also has been shown to be expressed byastrocytes in MS lesions, but not in unaffected white matter (Balashov,K. E. et al. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:6873-6878) and to beexpressed by macrophages within MS plaques and by reactive astrocytes inthe surrounding parenchyma (Simpson, J. E. et al. (2000) Neuropathol.Appl. Neurobiol. 26:133-142). PCT Patent Publication WO 02/15932 showedadministration of anti-IP-10 antibodies in a mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)model of MS resulted in reduced T lymphocyte and macrophage invasion,inhibited progression of demyelination, increased remyelination andimproved neurological function (see also Liu, M. T. et al. (2001) J.Immunol. 167:4091-4097). Administration of murine anti-IP-10 antibodieshas been shown to decrease clinical and histological disease incidenceand severity in murine EAE (Fife, B. T. et al. (2001) J. Immunol.166:7617-7624).

In view of the foregoing, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention canbe used in the treatment of MS and other demyelinating diseases byadministering the antibody to a subject in need of treatment. Theantibody can be used alone or in combination with other anti-MS agents,such as interferon beta-1a (e.g., Avonex®, Rebif®), interferon beta-1b(e.g., Betaseron®), glatiramer acetate (e.g., Copaxone®) and/ormitoxantrone (e.g., Novantrone®).

B. Rheumatoid Arthritis

IP-10 levels have been shown to be significantly elevated in synovialfluid, synovial tissue and serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) (Patel, D. D. et al. (2001) Clin. Immunol. 98:39-45; Hanaoka, R. etal. (2003) Arthritis Res. and Therapy 5:R74-R81). The IP-10 receptor,CXCR3, has been shown to be preferentially expressed on mast cellswithin synovial tissue from RA patients (Ruschpler, P. et al. (2003)Arthritis Res. Ther. 5:R241—R252). In an adjuvant induced arthritis (AA)rat model, a detectable autoantibody response against self IP-10 hasbeen reported (Salomon, I. et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 169:2685-2693).Moreover, administration of an IP-10-encoding DNA vaccine augmentedproduction of neutralizing anti-IP-10 antibodies within the rats, andthese IP-10 autoantibodies could adoptively transfer resistance to AA tonaïve rats (Salomon, I. et al., supra).

In view of the foregoing, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention canbe used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by administering theantibody to a subject in need of treatment. The antibody can be usedalone or in combination with other anti-RA agents, such as non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, corticosteroids (e.g.,prednisone, hydrocortisone), TNF-inhibitors (including adilimumab(Humira®), etanercept (Enbrel®) and infliximab (Remicade®)),disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (including methotrexate,cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, auranofin, azathioprine, gold sodiumthiomalate, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, leflunomide, minocycline,penicillamine and sulfasalazine), fibromyalgia medications, osteoporosismedications and gout medications.

C. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IP-10 expression has been shown to be significantly enhanced in cellsinfiltrating the lamina propria of colonic biopsies taken fromulcerative colitis patients (Uguccioni, M. et al. (1999) Am. J. Pathol.155:331-336). Furthermore, neutralization of IP-10 has been shown toprotect mice from epithelial ulceration in acute colitis and to enhancecrypt cell survival (Sasaki, S. et al. (2002) Eur. J. Immunol.32:3197-3205). Also, in IL-10−/− mice, which develop colitis similar toCrohn's disease in humans, treatment with anti-IP-10 antibodies led toimprovement in scoring of inflammation (Singh, U. P. et al. (2003) J.Immunol. 171:1401-1406).

In view of the foregoing, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention canbe used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), includingulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, by administering the antibody toa subject in need of treatment. The antibody can be used alone or incombination with other anti-IBD agents, such as drugs containingmesalamine (including sulfasalazine and other agents containing5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), such as olsalazine and balsalazide),non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics,corticosteroids (e.g., predinisone, hydrocortisone), TNF-inhibitors(including adilimumab (Humira®), etanercept (Enbrel®) and infliximab(Remicade®)), immunosuppressants (such as 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprineand cyclosporine A), and antibiotics.

D. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Serum IP-10 levels have been shown to be markedly increased in patientswith systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the levels have been shownto correlate with disease activity (see e.g., Narumi, S. et al. (2000)Cytokine 12:1561-1565). Accordingly, in another embodiment, theanti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can be used in the treatment ofSLE by administering the antibody to a subject in need of treatment. Theantibody can be used alone or in combination with other anti-SLE agents,such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics,corticosteroids (e.g., predinisone, hydrocortisone), immunosuppressants(such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and methotrexate),antimalarials (such as hydroxychloroquine) and biologic drugs thatinhibit the production of dsDNA antibodies (e.g., LJP 394).

E. Type I Diabetes

Serum IP-10 levels have been shown to be elevated in patients with TypeI diabetes, particularly those with recent onset disease, and the levelswere shown to correlate with the number of GAD-reactivegamma-interferon-producing T cells in patients positive for GADautoantibodies (Shimada, A. et al. (2001) Diabetes Care 24:510-515). Ina separate study, serum IP-10 levels were found to be increased inpatients with newly diagnosed disease and in patients at high risk forthe disease, and IP-10 concentrations correlated with IFN-gamma levels(Nicoletti, F. et al. (2002) Diabetologia 45:1107-1110). Moreover, betacells have been demonstrated to secrete IP-10, leading tochemoattraction of T cells, and mice deficient in CXCR3 have been shownto have delayed onset of Type I diabetes (Frigerio, S. et al. (2002)Nature Medicine 8:1414-1420).

Accordingly, in another embodiment, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of theinvention can be used in the treatment of Type I diabetes byadministering the antibody to a subject in need of treatment. Theantibody can be used alone or in combination with other anti-diabeticagents, such as insulin.

F. Inflammatory Skin Disorders

IP-10 expression has been shown to be associated with a variety ofinflammatory skin disorders. For example, IP-10 has been detected inkeratinocytes and the dermal infiltrate from active psoriatic plaques(Gottlieb, A. B. et al. (1988) J. Exp. Med. 168:941-948). Moreover,CXCR3 is expressed by dermal CD3+ lymphocytes, suggesting that CXCR3 isinvolved in T lymphocyte trafficking to the psoriatic dermis (Rottman,J. B. et al. (2001) Lab. Invest. 81:335-347). Accordingly, in anotherembodiment, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can be used inthe treatment of psoriasis by administering the antibody to a subject inneed of treatment. The antibody can be used alone or in combination withother agents or treatments, such as topical treatments (e.g., steroids,coal tar, calcipotriene, tazarotene, anthralin, salicylic acid),phototherapy, systemic medications (e.g., methotrexate, oral retinoids,cyclosporine, fumaric acid esters) and/or biologic drugs (e.g.,alefacept, efalizumab).

Lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and oralmucosa, has been shown to be associated with infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+T cells that express CXCR3 and, moreover, the CD8+ infiltratingcytolytic T cells have to shown to have IP-10 in their cytolyticgranules and the lesional keratinocytes have been shown to overexpressIP-10 (Iijima, W. et al. (2003) Am. J. Pathol. 163:261-268).Accordingly, in another embodiment, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of theinvention can be used in the treatment of lichen planus by administeringthe antibody to a subject in need of treatment. The antibody can be usedalone or in combination with other agents or treatments, such asanti-inflammatory agents, anti-histamines, corticosteroids and lighttherapy.

IP-10 expression has been shown to be elevated in other inflammatoryskin disorders, such as chronic discoid lupus erythematosus andJessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (Flier, J. et al. (2001)J. Pathol. 194:398-405). Accordingly, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of theinvention can be used in the treatment of these inflammatory skindisorders by administering the antibody to a subject in need oftreatment. The antibody can be used alone or in combination with otheragents or treatments, as described above.

G. Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Both IP-10 and CXCR3 have been shown to be expressed in the thyroidgland of patients suffering from Graves' Disease (GD), but not to beexpressed (or poorly expressed) in normal thyroid tissue, and expressionwas highest in patients with recent onset GD (Romagnani, P. et al. (Am.J. Pathol. 161:195-206). IP-10 also has been shown to be expressed inthyroid tissue of patients suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Kemp,E. H. et al. (2003) Clin. Endocrinol. 59:207-213). Accordingly, inanother embodiment, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can beused in the treatment of autoimmune thyroid disease, including Graves'Disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, by administering the antibody to asubject in need of treatment. The antibody can be used alone or incombination with other agents or treatments, such as anti-thyroid drugs,radioactive iodine and subtotal thyroidectomy.

H. Sjogren's Syndrome

The expression of IP-10 mRNA has been shown to be significantlyupregulated in the salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome(SS), with expression being most prominent in the ductal epitheliumadjacent to lymphoid infiltrates (see e.g., Ogawa, N. et al. (2002)Arthritis Rheum. 46:2730-2741). Accordingly, in another embodiment, theanti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can be used in the treatment ofSjogren's Syndrome by administering the antibody to a subject in need oftreatment. The antibody can be used alone or in combination with otheranti-SS agents, such as artificial lubricants (e.g., preservative-freeartificial tears, artificial salivas, unscented skin lotions, salinenasal sprays, and vaginal lubricants), Lacriserts® for treatment of dryeyes, pilocarpine hydrochloride (Salagen®) and ceyimeline (Eyoxac®) fortreatment of dry mouth, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),steroids and immunosuppressive drugs.

I. Pulmonary Inflammation

IP-10 expression has been examined in a mouse model of allergic asthma,with the results demonstrating that IP-10 is upregulated in the lungsafter allergen challenge and that overexpression of IP-10 was associatedwith increased airway hyperactivity, eosinophilia, increased IL-4 levelsand recruitment of CD8+ lymphocytes (Medoff, B. D. et al. (2002) J.Immunol. 168:5278-5286). Moreover, smokers who develop chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been shown to express IP-10 intheir bronchiolar epithelium (Saetta, M. et al. (2002) Am. J. Respir.Crit. Care Med. 165:1404-1409). Still further, high levels of IP-10 havebeen demonstrated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients withpulmonary sarcoidosis and lymphocytic alveolitis (Agostini, C. et al.(1998) J. Immunol. 161:6413-6420).

Accordingly, in another embodiment, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of theinvention can be used in the treatment of disease characterized bypulmonary inflammation, such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary sarcoidosis orlymphocytic alveolitis, by administering the antibody to a subject inneed of treatment. The antibody can be used alone or in combination withother agents for reducing pulmonary inflammation, such as cromolynsodium, nedocromil sodium, inhaled corticosteroids, systemic (e.g.,oral) corticosteroids, short acting beta antagonists, short actingbronchodilators, long acting beta antagonists or agonists (oral orinhaled), leukotriene modifiers, theophylline and oxygen therapy.

J. Transplant Rejection

IP-10 has been shown to play a role in rejection of transplanted tissue.For example, treatment of mice with neutralizing anti-IP-10 antibodiesincreased the survival of small bowel allografts and reducedaccumulation of host Tcells and NK cells in the lamina propria (Zhang,Z. et al. (2002) J. Immunol. 168:3205-3212). Furthermore, in micereceiving pancreatic islet allografts, anti-IP-10 antibody treatmentalso resulted in increased allograft survival and decreased lymphocyticgraft infiltration (Baker, M. S. et al. (2003) Surgery 134:126-133).Additionally, cardiac allografts, but not normal hearts, were shown toexpress IP-10 and CXCR3, and elevated IP-10 levels were associated withcardiac allograft vasculopathy (Zhao, D. X. et al. (2002) J. Immunol.169:1556-1560). CXCR3 and IP-10 also have been shown to be expressed byinflammatory cells infiltrating lung allografts (Agostini, C. et al.(2001) Am J. Pathol. 158:1703-1711). Neutralization of CXCR3 or IP-10 invivo was shown to attenuate bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), themajor limitation to survival for lung transplant recipients, in a murinelung transplant model (Belperio, J. A. et al. (2002) J. Immunol.169:1037-1049).

In view of the foregoing, the invention also provides a method ofinhibiting transplant rejection by administering an anti-IP-10 antibodyof the invention to a transplant recipient in need of treatment.Examples of tissue transplants that can be treated include, but are notlimited to, liver, lung (e.g., treatment of BOS), kidney, heart, smallbowel, and pancreatic islet cells. The antibody can be used alone or incombination with other agents for inhibiting transplant rejection, suchas immunosuppressive agents (e.g., cyclosporine, azathioprine,methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil,sirilimus, rapamycin, tacrolimus), anti-infective agents (e.g.,acyclovir, clotrimazole, ganciclovir, nystatin,trimethoprimsulfarnethoxazole), diuretics (e.g., bumetanide, furosemide,metolazone) and ulcer medications (e.g., cimetidine, famotidine,lansoprazole, omeprazole, ranitidine, sucralfate).

K. Spinal Cord Injury

Traumatic injury to the spinal cord leads to infiltration ofinflammatory cells. IP-10 has been shown to play a central role insecondary degeneration following spinal cord injury (Gonzalez et al.(2003) Exp. Neuro/0.184:456-463; see also PCT patent publication WO03/06045). IP-10 has been shown to be significantly elevated in thecontused rat spinal cords 6 and 12 hours postinjury (McTigue, D. M. etal. (1998) J. Neurosci. Res. 53:368-376) and in the injured mouse spinalcord 6 hours post injury (Gonzalez et al. (2003) supra). Accordingly,inhibition of IP-10 activity after spinal cord injury has been shown tobe useful in reducing infiltration of inflammatory cells and thusreducing secondary tissue damage to inflammation. Inhibition may alsoreduce infiltration of inflammatory cells, decrease secondarydegeneration and improve recovery following traumatic brain injury andstroke. Thus, the invention also provides a method of treating spinalcord injury and brain injury (e.g., stroke) in a subject in need oftreatment comprising administering to the subject an anti-IP-10 antibodyof the invention. The antibody can be used alone or in combination withother agents, such as other anti-inflammatory agents.

L. Neurodegenerative Diseases

IP-10 and CXCR3 expression within the central nervous system has beenfound to be upregulated in association with pathological changesassociated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (Xia, M. Q. and Hyman, D. T.(1999) J. Neurovirol. 5:32-41). Within AD brains, CXCR3 was shown to beexpressed constitutively on neurons and neuronal processes in variouscortical and subcortical regions and IP-10 was shown to be expressed inastrocytes and its level was markedly elevated as compared to normalbrains (Xia, M. Q. et al. (2000) J. Neuroimmunol. 108:227-235).Accordingly, the antibodies of the invention can be used in thetreatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease andParkinson's disease, by administering to a subject in need of treatmentthe anti-IP-10 antibody, alone or in combination with other therapeuticagents. Examples of agents with which the anti-IP-10 antibody can becombined for Alzheimer's disease treatment include cholinesteraseinhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, tacrine) and vitaminE. An example of an agent with which the anti-IP-10 antibody can becombined for Parkinson's disease treatment is levodopa.

M. Gingivitis

Marginal periodontitis is associated with inflamed gingival tissue.Cells producing IP-10 have been found in inflamed human gingival tissue,as well as cells expressing the CXCR3 receptor (Kabashima, H. et al.(2002) Cytokine 20:70-77). Accordingly, in another embodiment, theanti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can be used in the treatment ofgingivitis by administering the antibody to a subject in need oftreatment. The antibody can be used alone or in combination with otheragents or treatments, such as anti-gingival mouthwashes (e.g.,antibiotic mouthwashes), periodontal scaling and root planing andperiodontal surgery.

N. Gene Therapy-Associated Inflammation

Replication-deficient adenoviruses, used as adenoviral vectors used ingene therapy, can cause acute injury and inflammation in tissuesinfected by the viral vectors. Such adenoviral vectors have been shownto induce the expression of IP-10 through capsid-dependent activation ofNFkB (Borgland, S. L. et al. (2000) J. Virol. 74:3941-3947).Accordingly, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can be used toinhibit IP-10-induced injury and/or inflammation during gene therapytreatment that utilizes a viral vector, such as an adenoviral vector,that stimulates unwanted production of IP-10.

O. Diseases of Angiogenesis

IP-10 has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo(Strieter et al. (1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 210:51-57;Angiolillo et al. (1995) J. Exp. Med. 182:155-162; Luster et al. (1995)J. Exp. Med. 182:219-231). Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in manydisease processes, such as the healing response to trauma. For example,vasculature within the injured spinal cord remains in a state of activeremodeling until at least 28 days post injury (Popovich et al. (1997) J.Comp. Neurol. 377:443-464).

IP-10 is thought to exert its angiostatic effects through the inhibitionof endothelial cell growth and chemotaxis. It does this through itsheparin-binding motif as well as through a receptor-mediated mechanism.Through its heparin-binding motif it prevents the angiogenic factorsFGF-2 and VEFG165 from binding to their receptors. It also exerts itseffects through a receptor-mediated process. The receptor for IP-10,CXCR3, is alternatively spliced to produce the two known variationsCXCR3A and CXCR3B. IP-10 binding to the CXCR3A receptor leads toproliferation and chemotaxis of the target cell, whereas IP-10 bindingto the CXCR3B receptor has the opposite effect of inhibition of growthand chemotaxis. It is through the CXCR3B receptor that IP-10 acts as anangiostatic factor (Lasagni et al. (2003) J. Exp. Med. 197:1537-1549).

In view of the foregoing, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention canbe used in the treatment of diseases requiring angiogenesis, for examplewhere the angiostatic behaviour of IP-10 delays or prevents healing andexacerbates the disease process. Such diseases include: 1) aberrantphysiological neovascularization, which may impact wound healing, thefemale estrus cycle, pregnancy, exercise-induced hypertrophy and thelike; 2) indications that may require stimulation of neovascularization,including induction of collateral vessel formation (including myocardialischemia, peripheral ischemia, cerebral ischemia), coronary arterydisease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, wound healing, engraftmentsubsequent to organ transplantation such as islet cell transplantation,fracture and tendon repair, reconstructive surgery, tissue engineering,restenosis, hair loss, decubitus and stasis ulcers, gastrointestinalulcers, placental insufficiency, aseptic necrosis, pulmonary andsystemic hypertension, vascular dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, cerebralautosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts andleukoencephalopathy (CADASIL); thyroid psuedocyst and lymphoedema; and3) indications that may require vascular remodeling, including vascularmalformations, psoriasis, and pre-eclampsia. The antibodies of theinvention can be used alone or in combination with other angiogenesisinducing agents.

P. Inflammatory Kidney Disease

The CXCR3 receptor has been reported to be expressed by mesangial cellsof patients with IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferativeglomerulonephritis or rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (Romagnani,P. et al. (1999) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 10:2518-2526). Furthermore, in amouse model of nephrotoxic nephritis, IP-10 mRNA levels were increasedsix-fold in the cortex of nephritic kidneys 7 days after induction ofnephritis (Schadde, E. et al. (2000) Nephrol. Dial. Transplant.15:1046-1053). Still further, high levels of IP-10 expression wereobserved in kidney biopsy specimens of human patients withglomerulonephritis as compared to normal kidneys (Romagnani, P. et al.(2002) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 13:53-64). Accordingly, the anti-IP-10antibodies of the invention can be used in the treatment of inflammatorykidney disease, including IgA nephropathy, memranoproliferativeglomerulonephritis and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Theantibodies of the invention can be used alone or in combination withother agents or treatments used in the treatment of glomerulonephritis,such as antibiotics, diuretics, high blood pressure medications anddialysis.

Q. Atherosclerosis

IP-10 has been shown to be a mitogenic and chemotactic factor forvascular smooth muscle, which are important features of smooth musclecells for their contribution to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis(Wang, X. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:24286-24293). IP-10 also hasbeen shown to be induced in smooth muscle cells after treatment with LPSor interferon gamma, and was also induced in the rat carotid arteryafter balloon angioplasty (Wang, X. et al. (1996) supra). Moreover,IP-10 has been demonstrated to be expressed in atheroma-associatedendothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages, suggesting arole for IP-10 in recruitment and retention of activated T cells thathave been observed within vascular wall lesions during atherogenesis(Mach, F. et al. (1999) J. Clin. Invest. 104:1041-1050). Accordingly,the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention can be used in the treatmentor prevention of atherosclerosis. The antibodies can be used alone or incombination with other agents or treatments used in the treatment ofatherosclerosis, such high blood pressure medications andcholesterol-lowering drugs.

R. Viral Infections

IP-10 may be upregulated in various viral infections and may play abeneficial role in recruiting activated T cells to fight the viralinfection. In certain instances, however, production of IP-10 duringviral infection may lead to detrimental effects and thus, the IP-10activity may be unwanted and it may be desirable to inhibit IP-10activity in such viral infections using an anti-IP-10 antibody of theinvention.

For example, IP-10 has been shown to stimulate replication of humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV) in monocyte-derived macrophages andperipheral blood lymphocytes (Lane, B. R. et al. (2003) Virology307:122-134). Furthermore, IP-10 levels are elevated in cerebrospinalfluid and brain of HIV-infected patients and in the central nervoussystem of HIV gp120-transgenic mice (Asensio, V. C. et al. (2001) J.Virol. 75:7067-7077).

IP-10 levels also have been shown to be elevated in patients withchronic persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) and in patients with chronicactive hepatitis (Narumi, S. et al. (1997) J. Immunol. 158:5536-5544).In HCV-infected livers, IP-10 was shown to be expressed by hepatocytesbut not by other cell types within the liver, and a significantly higherproportion of CXCR3 positive T cells was found in the liver as comparedto blood (Harvey, C. E. et al. (2003) J. Leukoc. Biol. 74:360-369).

Increased secretion of IP-10 has been shown to be associated with theinflammatory response to acute ocular herpes simplex virus type I(HSV-1) infection in mice, and treatment of HSV-1 infected mice withanti-IP-10 antibodies was shown to reduce mononuclear cell infiltrationinto the corneal stroma, reduce corneal pathology, and inhibitprogression of the virus from the corneal stroma to the retina duringacute infection (Carr, D. J. et al. (2003) J. Virol. 77:10037-10046).

IP-10 expression also has been shown to be expressed in viralmeningitis. IP-10 was demonstrated to be present in the CSF of patientswith viral meningitis and to be responsible for chemotactic activity onneutrophils, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and activated T cells(Lahrtz, F. et al. (1997) Eur. J. Immunol. 27:2484-2489; Lahrtz, F. etal. (1998) J. Neuroimmunol. 85:33-43).

In view of the foregoing, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention canbe used in the treatment of viral infections involving unwanted IP-10activity by administering the antibody to a subject in need oftreatment. Non-limiting examples of viral infections that can be treatedinclude HIV (e.g., HIV-induced encephalitis), HCV, HSV-1, viralmeningitis and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The antibodycan be used alone or in combination with other anti-viral agents, suchas, for HIV infection, nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transciptaseinhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transciptase inhibitors and/orprotease inhibitors (and combinations thereof), for HCV infection,interferon alpha 2a, pegylated interferon alpha 2a, and/or ribavirin,and for HSV-1 infection, acyclovir, valacyclovir and/or famciclovir.

S. Bacterial Infections.

Bacterial infections induce IP-10 production in affected cells (seeGasper, N. A. et al. (2002) Infect Immun. 70:4075-82.) Bacterialmeningitis is also specifically known to invoke IP-10 expression(Lapinet, J. A. et al. (2000) Infect Immun. 68:6917-23). IP-10 is alsoproduced by testicular somatic cells of seminiferous tubules, in abacterial infection model, strongly indicating a likely role of thesechemokines in the accumulation of neutrophils and T lymphocytes duringtesticular inflammation, which is classically observed in thepathogenesis of bacterial infections (Aubry, F. et al. (2000) EurCytokine Netw. 11:690-8).

In view of the foregoing, the anti-IP-10 antibodies of the invention canbe used in the treatment of bacterial infections involving unwantedIP-10 activity by administering the antibody to a subject in need oftreatment. Examples of bacterial infections include, but are not limitedto, bacterial meningitis and bacterial pneumonia. The antibody can beused alone or in combination with other anti-bacterial agents, such asantibiotics.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following exampleswhich should not be construed as further limiting. The contents of allfigures and all references, patents and published patent applicationscited throughout this application are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

Example 1 Generation of Human Monoclonal Antibodies Against IP-10Antigen

Purified recombinant human IP10 derived from E. coli (PeproTech, Inc.,Cat number: 300-12), or purified recombinant human IP10 conjugated tokeyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), was used as the antigen

Transgenic HuMab and KM Mice

Fully human monoclonal antibodies to IP10 were prepared using HCo7,HCo12 and HCo17 strains of HuMab transgenic mice and the KM strain oftransgenic transchromosomic mice, each of which express human antibodygenes. In each of these mouse strains, the endogenous mouse kappa lightchain gene has been homozygously disrupted as described in Chen et al.(1993) EMBO J. 12:811-820 and the endogenous mouse heavy chain gene hasbeen homozygously disrupted as described in Example 1 of PCT PublicationWO 01/09187. Each of these mouse strains carries a human kappa lightchain transgene, KCo5, as described in Fishwild et al. (1996) NatureBiotechnology 14:845-851. The HCo7 strain carries the HCo7 human heavychain transgene as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,806; 5,625,825; and5,545,807. The HCo12 strain carries the HCo12 human heavy chaintransgene as described in Example 2 of PCT Publication WO 01/09187. TheHCo17 stain carries the HCo17 human heavy chain transgene as describedin Example 8 below. The KM strain contains the SC20 transchromosome asdescribed in PCT Publication WO 02/43478.

HuMab and KM Immunizations:

To generate fully human monoclonal antibodies to IP10, HuMab mice and KMmice were immunized with purified recombinant IP10 derived from E. colior IP 10-KLH conjugate as antigen. General immunization schemes forHuMab mice are described in Lonberg, N. et al (1994) Nature 368(6474):856-859; Fishwild, D. et al. (1996) Nature Biotechnology 14: 845-851 andPCT Publication WO 98/24884. The mice were 6-16 weeks of age upon thefirst infusion of antigen. A purified recombinant preparation (5-50 μg)of IP10 antigen (e.g., purified from transfected E. coli cellsexpressing IP 10) was used to immunize the HuMab mice and KM miceintraperitonealy, subcutaneously (Sc) or via footpad injection.

Transgenic mice were immunized twice with antigen in complete Freund'sadjuvatnt or Ribi adjuvant either intraperitonealy (IP), subcutaneously(Sc) or via footpad (FP), followed by 3-21 days IP, Sc or FPimmunization (up to a total of 11 immunizations) with the antigen inincomplete Freund's or Ribi adjuvant. The immune response was monitoredby retroorbital bleeds. The plasma was screened by ELISA (as describedbelow), and mice with sufficient titers of anti-IP 10 humanimmunogolobulin were used for fusions. Mice were boosted intravenouslywith antigen 3 and 2 days before sacrifice and removal of the spleen.Typically, 10-35 fusions for each antigen were performed. Several dozenmice were immunized for each antigen. A total of 82 mice of the HCo7,HCo12, HCo17 and KM mice strains were immunized with IP10.

Selection of HuMab or KM Mice Producing Anti-IP 10 Antibodies:

To select HuMab or KM mice producing antibodies that bound IP10, serafrom immunized mice was tested by ELISA as described by Fishwild, D. etal. (1996). Briefly, microtiter plates were coated with purifiedrecombinant IP10 from E. coli at 1-2 μg/ml in PBS, 50 μl/wells incubated4° C. overnight then blocked with 200 μl/well of 5% chicken serum inPBS/Tween (0.05%). Dilutions of plasma from IP 10-immunized mice wereadded to each well and incubated for 1-2 hours at ambient temperature.The plates were washed with PBS/Tween and then incubated with agoat-anti-human IgG Fc polyclonal antibody conjugated with horseradishperoxidase (HRP) for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing, theplates were developed with ABTS substrate (Sigma, A-1888, 0.22 mg/ml)and analyzed by spectrophotometer at OD 415-495. Mice that developed thehighest titers of anti-IP10 antibodies were used for fusions. Fusionswere performed as described below and hybridoma supernatants were testedfor anti-IP10 activity by ELISA.

Generation of Hybridomas Producing Human Monoclonal Antibodies to IP10:

The mouse splenocytes, isolated from the HuMab mice and KM mice, werefused with PEG to a mouse myeloma cell line based upon standardprotocols. The resulting hybridomas were then screened for theproduction of antigen-specific antibodies. Single cell suspensions ofsplenic lymphocytes from immunized mice were fused to one-fourth thenumber of SP2/0 nonsecreting mouse myeloma cells

(ATCC, CRL 1581) with 50% PEG (Sigma). Cells were plated atapproximately 1×10⁵/well in flat bottom microtiter plate, followed byabout two week incubation in selective medium containing 10% fetalbovine serum, 10% P388D1 (ATCC, CRL TIB-63) conditioned medium, 3-5%origen (IGEN) in DMEM (Mediatech, CRL 10013, with high glucose,L-glutamine and sodium pyruvate) plus 5 mM HEPES, 0.055 mM2-mercaptoethanol, 50 mg/ml gentamycin and 1×HAT (Sigma, CRL P-7185).After 1-2 weeks, cells were cultured in medium in which the HAT wasreplaced with HT. Individual wells were then screened by ELISA(described above) for human anti-IP 10 monoclonal IgG antibodies. Onceextensive hybridoma growth occurred, medium was monitored usually after10-14 days. The antibody secreting hybridomas were replated, screenedagain and, if still positive for human IgG, anti-IP 10 monoclonalantibodies were subcloned at least twice by limiting dilution. Thestable subclones were then cultured in vitro to generate small amountsof antibody in tissue culture medium for further characterization.

Hybridoma clones 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12and 13C4 were selected for further analysis.

Example 2 Structural Characterization of Human Monoclonal AntibodiesAgainst IP-10

The cDNA sequences encoding the heavy and light chain variable regionsof the 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 3C4, 6A5, 6A8, 6B10, 7C10, 8F6, 10A12 and 13C4monoclonal antibodies were obtained from the corresponding hybridomasusing standard PCR techniques and were sequenced using standard DNAsequencing techniques. In cases where DNA sequencing alone was notsufficient to unambiguously determine the antibody structure, proteinanalysis (e.g., N-terminal amino acid analysis and mass spectroscopy)was also performed and the results compared to the DNA sequence analysisto thereby determine the correct antibody structure. The structuralanalysis results are as follows:

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 1D4 are shown in FIG. 1A and in SEQ ID NOs: 99 and 35,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 1D4 are shown in FIG. 1B and in SEQ ID NOs: 110 and84, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 1E1 are shown in FIG. 2A and in SEQ ID NOs: 100 and 36,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 1E1 are shown in FIG. 2B and in SEQ ID NOs: 111 and85, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 2G1 are shown in FIG. 3A and in SEQ ID NOs: 101 and 37,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 2G1 are shown in FIG. 3B and in SEQ ID NOs: 112 and86, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 3C4 are shown in FIG. 4A and in SEQ ID NOs: 102 and 38,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 3C4 are shown in FIG. 4B and in SEQ ID NOs: 113 and87, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 6A5 are shown in FIG. 5A and in SEQ ID NOs: 103 and 39,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 6A5 are shown in FIG. 5B and in SEQ ID NOs: 114 and88, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 6A8 are shown in FIG. 6A and in SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 40,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 6A8 are shown in FIG. 6B and in SEQ ID NOs: 115 and89, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 6B10 are shown in FIG. 7A and in SEQ ID NOs: 105 and 41,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 6B 10 are shown in FIG. 7B and in SEQ ID NOs: 116 and90, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 7C10 are shown in FIG. 8A and in SEQ ID NOs: 106 and 42,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 7C10 are shown in FIG. 8B and in SEQ ID NOs: 117 and91, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 8F6 are shown in FIG. 9A and in SEQ ID NOs: 107 and 43,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 8F6 are shown in FIG. 9B and in SEQ ID NOs: 118 and92, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 10A12 are shown in FIG. 10A and in SEQ ID NOs: 108 and 44,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 10A12 are shown in FIG. 10B and in SEQ ID NOs: 119and 93, respectively.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy chain variableregion of 13C4 are shown in FIG. 11A and in SEQ ID NOs: 109 and 46,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the light chainvariable region of 13C4 are shown in FIG. 11B and in SEQ ID NOs: 120 and94, respectively.

Comparison of the 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 7C10 and 10A12 heavy chainimmunoglobulin sequences to the known human germline immunoglobulinheavy chain sequences demonstrated that these antibody heavy chainsutilizes a V_(H) segment from human germline V_(H) 3-33. The alignmentof the 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 7C10 and 10A12 V_(H) sequences to thegermline V_(H) 3-33 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 47) is shown in FIG. 12.Further analysis of the 1D4, 1E1, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 7C10 and 10A12 VHsequences using the Kabat system of CDR region determination led to thedelineation of the heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 regions as shown inFIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 5A, 6A, 8A and 10A, respectively.

Comparison of the 6B10 and 8F6 heavy chain immunoglobulin sequences tothe known human germline immunoglobulin heavy chain sequencesdemonstrated that these antibody heavy chains utilizes a V_(H) segmentfrom human germline V_(H) 3-30.3. The alignment of the 6B10 and 8F6V_(H) sequences to the germline V_(H) 3-33 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 48) isshown in FIG. 13. Further analysis of the 6B10 and 8F6 VH sequencesusing the Kabat system of CDR region determination led to thedelineation of the heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 regions as shown inFIGS. 7A and 9A, respectively.

Comparison of the 3C4 heavy chain immunoglobulin sequence to the knownhuman germline immunoglobulin heavy chain sequences demonstrated thatthis antibody heavy chain utilizes a V_(H) segment from human germlineV_(H) 5-51. The alignment of the 3C4 V_(H) sequence to the germlineV_(H) 5-51 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 49) is shown in FIG. 14. Furtheranalysis of the 3C4 VH sequence using the Kabat system of CDR regiondetermination led to the delineation of the heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 andCD3 regions as shown in FIG. 4A.

Comparison of the 13C4 heavy chain immunoglobulin sequence to the knownhuman germline immunoglobulin heavy chain sequences demonstrated thatthis antibody heavy chain utilizes a V_(H) segment from human germlineV_(H) 4-61. The alignment of the 13C4 V_(H) sequence to the germlineV_(H) 4-61 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 50) is shown in FIG. 15. Furtheranalysis of the 13C4 VH sequence using the Kabat system of CDR regiondetermination led to the delineation of the heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 andCD3 regions as shown in FIG. 11A.

Comparison of the 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 13C4 light chainimmunoglobulin sequences to the known human germline immunoglobulinlight chain sequences demonstrated that these antibody light chainsutilizes a V_(L) segment from human germline V_(k) A27. The alignment ofthe 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 13C4 V_(L) sequences to the germlineV_(K) A27 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 95) is shown in FIG. 16. Further analysisof the 1D4, 2G1, 6A5, 6A8, 10A12 and 13C4 V_(L) sequences using theKabat system of CDR region determination led to the delineation of thelight chain CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 regions as shown in FIGS. 1B, 3B, 5B, 6B,10B and 11B, respectively.

Comparison of the 1E1, 6B10 and 8F6 light chain immunoglobulin sequencesto the known human germline immunoglobulin light chain sequencesdemonstrated that these antibody light chains utilizes a V_(L) segmentfrom human germline V_(k) L6. The alignment of the 1E1, 6B10 and 8F6V_(L) sequences to the germline V_(K) L6 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 96) isshown in FIG. 17. Further analysis of the 1E1, 6B10 and 8F6 V_(L)sequences using the Kabat system of CDR region determination led to thedelineation of the light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 regions as shown inFIGS. 2B, 7B and 9B, respectively.

Comparison of the 3C4 light chain immunoglobulin sequence to the knownhuman germline immunoglobulin light chain sequences demonstrated thatthe 3C4 light chain utilizes a V_(L) segment from human germline V_(k)L18. The alignment of the 3C4 V_(L) sequence to the germline V_(k) L18sequence (SEQ ID NO: 97) is shown in FIG. 18. Further analysis of the3C4 V_(L) sequence using the Kabat system of CDR region determinationled to the delineation of the light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 regions asshown in FIG. 4B.

Comparison of the 7C10 light chain immunoglobulin sequence to the knownhuman germline immunoglobulin light chain sequences demonstrated thatthe 7C10 light chain utilizes a V_(L) segment from human germline V_(k)L15. The alignment of the 7C10 V_(L) sequence to the germline V_(k) L15sequence (SEQ ID NO: 98) is shown in FIG. 19. Further analysis of the7C10 V_(L) sequence using the Kabat system of CDR region determinationled to the delineation of the light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CD3 regions asshown in FIG. 8B.

Example 3 Characterization of Binding Specificity and Binding Kineticsof Anti-IP-10 Human Monoclonal Antibodies

In this example, binding affinity, binding kinetics and bindingspecificity of anti-IP-10 antibodies were examined by Biacore analysis.Also, binding specificity and cross-competition was examined by ELISA.

Biacore Analysis

Anti-IP-10 antibodies were characterized for affinities and bindingkinetics by Biacore analysis (Biacore AB, Uppsala, Sweden). E.coli-expressed, purified recombinant human IP-10 (R& D Systems) wascoupled to the CMS sensor chip @ 97 RU using the EDC/NHS couplingprotocol provided by Biacore AB. Binding was measured by flowing theantibody in HBS EP buffer (provided by Biacore AB) at concentrationsfrom 33-267 nM at a flow rate of 40 μl/min. The antigen-antibodyassociation kinetics was followed for 5 minutes and the dissociationkinetics was followed for 8 minutes. The association and dissociationcurves were fit to a 1:1 Langmuir binding model using BIAevaluationsoftware (Biacore AB). Data corresponding to the initial few dozenseconds for association and dissociation phases alone were consideredfor curve fitting to minimize the effect of avidity. The experimentswere performed at both 25° C. and 37° C. The K_(D), k_(on) and k_(off)values that were determined are shown in Table 1 for binding at 25° C.and in Table 2 for binding at 37° C.:

TABLE 1 Binding Characterization at 25° C. with Human IP-10 Affinity Onrate Off rate K_(D) × 10⁻⁹ K_(on) × 10⁴ K_(off) × 10⁻⁵ Clone ID (M)(1/Ms) (1/s) 7C10 0.02 1.70 0.04 10A12 0.53 3.83 2.02 8F6 0.81 23.3 19.010A12S 0.88 3.68 3.24 6A5 1.20 3.11 3.64 6A5 Batch 2* 0.96 3.20 3.10 1D41.20 8.40 10.20 6B10 1.78 9.50 17.2 2G1 1.90 3.78 0.75 *6A5 Batch 2 isan independent sample of purified antibody from the 6A5 hybridomasupernatant as compared to sample 6A5.

TABLE 2 Binding Characterization at 37° C. with Human IP-10 Affinity Onrate Off rate K_(D) × 10⁻⁹ K_(on) × 10⁴ K_(off) × 10⁻⁵ Clone ID (M)(1/Ms) (1/s) 7C10 0.016 5.27 0.08 10A12 0.34 11.1 3.81 8F6 0.78 34.727.0 10A12S 0.49 9.10 4.43 6A5 0.70 10.2 7.15 6A5 Batch 2 0.74 8.41 6.261D4 1.15 16.6 19.2 6B10 2.54 19.9 50.4 2G1 0.34 14.8 4.97

The half-life of the antibodies (in hours), as defined by the time takenfor the dissociation of half of the antibody-antigen complex during thedissociation phase, was measured at 25° C. and 37° C. The values weredetermined by extension of the dissociation curves to get to the timerequired for the 50% reduction of the Y-axis of the dissociationsensogram. The results are shown below in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Half-Life of Antibodies at 25° C. and 37° C. Half-life (inHalf-life (in Clone ID hours) at 25° C. hours) at 37° C. 2G1 25.67 3.8710A12 9.53 5.05 10A12S 5.94 4.34 6A5 5.29 2.69 6A5 Batch 2 6.21 3.87 1D41.88 1.00 6B10 1.12 0.38 8F6 1.01 0.71

The cross-reactivity of the antibodies, at 25° C., with rhesus monkeyIP-10, human MIG, human ITAC and mouse IP-10 was determined by Biacoreanalysis using the same methods as described above for human IP-10.Human MIG, human IP-10 and mouse IP-10 were obtained commercially(PeproTech, Rocky Hill, N.J.), whereas rhesus monkey IP-10 was made byrecombinant expression and purified by standard methods. The antigenswere conjugated to the CMS sensor chip @ 140 RUs (rhesus monkey IP-10),457 RUs (human MIG), 206 RUs (human ITAC) and 150 RUs (mouse IP-10).Association sensograms were obtained by flowing antibodies in HBS EPbuffer at a concentration of 133 nM for 5 minutes. The flow was thenstopped and dissociation was monitored for 5 minutes. The associationand dissociation curves were fit to a Langmuir binding model usingBlAevaluation software (Biacore AB). The results of the cross-reactivityexperiments are summarized below in Table 4:

TABLE 4 Anti-IP-10 Cross Reactivity with Various CXCR3 Ligands RhesusIP-10 Human MIG Human ITAC Mouse IP-10 K_(D) × 10⁻⁹ K_(D) × 10⁻⁹ K_(D) ×10⁻⁹ K_(D) × 10⁻⁹ Clone ID (M) (M) (M) (M) 7C10 4.4 105.0 No binding464.0 10A12 0.71 161.0 No binding No binding 8F6 0.81 No binding Nobinding No binding 10A12S 1.21 722.0 No binding No binding 6A5 1.06 Nobinding No binding No binding 6A5 Batch 2 1.23 No binding No binding Nobinding 1D4 0.94 No binding No binding No binding 6B10 2.01 15.4 51.5105.0 2G1 0.26 70.1 No binding No binding

ELISA Analysis

Additional experiments were performed using an ELISA assay to examinethe antigenic cross-reactivity of the anti-IP-10 antibodies for humanMIG, rhesus monkey IP-10 or mouse IP-10. The procedures used for theELISA was as described above in Example 1 except that the microtiterplates were coated with 1 μg/ml of either recombinant human IP-10, humanMIG (PeproTech, cat. #300-26), mouse IP-10 (PeproTech, cat. #250-16) orrecombinant rhesus monkey IP-10. The results, expressed as EC₅₀ values(in ng/ml) are summarized below in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Anti-IP-10 Cross Reactivity by ELISA with Various CXCR3 LigandsHuman IP-10 Monkey IP-10 Human MIG Mouse Clone ID (EC₅₀ ng/ml) (EC₅₀ng/ml) (EC₅₀ ng/ml) IP-10 10A12 40 80 180 No binding 10A12S 4.9 15.6 380No binding 2G1 30 30 45 No binding 6A5 35 90 No binding No binding 6A562 125 No binding No binding Batch 2 6B10 30 45 20 No binding 8F6 90 31No binding No binding 1D4 25 62 No binding No binding

Cross-competition studies between the various anti-IP-10 antibodies werealso performed by ELISA using biotinylated forms of 6A5 and 2G1 todetermine whether the antibodies recognize different epitopes on IP-10.The procedure for competition ELISAs was similar to the ELISA describedabove in Example 1. Briefly, microtiter plates were coated with purifiedrecombinant IP-10 from E. coli at 0.2 μg/ml in PBS, 50 μl/well andincubated 4° C. overnight. The wells then were blocked with 200 μl/wellof 5% chicken serum in PBS/Tween (0.05%). Dilutions of purified humananti-human IP-10 antibodies (from 2 μg/ml to 3.91 ng/ml) were added toeach well and incubated for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. Theplates were washed with PBS/Tween and then incubated with 0.1 μg/ml ofbiotin-6A5 or biotin-2G1 for 30 minutes. The plates were then washedthree times with PBS/Tween. After washing, phosphatase labeledstreptavidin (KPL, Cat #: 15-30-00) was added at 1:2000 dilution in 5%chicken serum to each well and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature.After washing, the plates were developed with p-NPP substrate (Moss,Inc, lot 10274021) and analyzed by spectrophotometer at OD 405. Asexpected, unlabeled 2G1 could compete with biotin-2G1 for binding toIP-10 and, moreover, unlabeled 6A5, 7C10, 10A12, 10A12S, 6B10, 8F6 and1D4 were each capable of competing the binding of biotin-2G1 to humanIP-10. Similarly, unlabeled 6A5 could compete with biotin-6A5 forbinding to IP-10 and, moreover, unlabeled 2G1, 7C10, 10A12, 10A12S,6B10, 8F6 and 1D4 were each capable of competing the binding ofbiotin-6A5 to human IP-10. These results indicate that each of theseantibodies have a binding specificity for the same epitope (or epitopegroup) of human IP-10.

Example 4 Inhibition of IP-10 Binding to CXCR3

In this example, the ability of anti-IP-10 antibodies to inhibit thebinding of human IP-10 to its receptor, CXCR3, on receptor-expressingcells was examined First, a Scatchard analysis was performed for¹²⁵I-IP-10 binding to 300.19 cells transfected to express CXCR3. Thecells were grown in RPMI media containing 10% FCS and G418 selection.Prior to use, the cells were washed twice with Hank's Balanced SaltSolution (HBSS) at 4° C. and adjusted to 4×10⁷ cells/ml. Glass fiberplates (Millipore MultiScreen®, Cat. #MAFBNOB50) were blocked with 200μl of a 0.1% polyethyleneimine solution one day prior to the experiment.On the day of the study, the blocking buffer was aspirated by using aMillipore manifold. The plates were washed three times with 200 μl ofbinding buffer (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.2, 1 mM CaCl₂, 5 mM MgCl₂, 0.5% BSA).Twenty-five microliters of binding buffer was added to each wellfollowed by either 25 μl of 1000 fold excess unlabeled IP-10 or bindingbuffer. Twenty-five microliters of ¹²⁵I-IP-10 (Amersham, Cat. #IM332-25μCi) at increasing concentrations was added, followed by 25 μl of cellsat a density of 1×10⁶ cells per well. The plates were incubated on aplate shaker for 60 minutes at room temperature and washed three timeswith wash buffer (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.2, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.5% BSA) at a volumeof 200 μl per wash. The plates were dried, 25 μl of scintillant wasadded and the plates were counted on a Wallac Microbeta Counter. Datawere analyzed using Prism software and a K_(D) was calculated. A meanK_(D) of 0.231 nM was determined for receptor binding.

Next, the ability of the anti-IP-10 antibodies to inhibit the binding of100 μM-¹²⁵I-hIP-10 to the CXCR3-expressing cells was examined.Competition assays were run in a similar manner to the experimentdescribed above. Briefly, 25 μl of binding buffer was added to the glassfiber filter plates, followed by 25 μl of increasing concentrations ofanti-IP-10 antibodies. Twenty-five microliters of ¹²⁵I-IP-10 was addedto a final concentration of 0.100 nM. Lastly, 25 μl of cells at adensity of 1×10⁶ cells per well were added and the plates were incubatedon a plate shaker for 60 minutes at room temperature, washed and countedas described above. EC₅₀ values were calculated using Prism software.K_(i) values (in nM) were determined using the formula:

$K_{i} = \frac{{EC}_{50}}{1 + {\lbrack L\rbrack/K_{D}}}$

The results are summarized below in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Inhibition of IP-10 Binding to CXCR3 Clone ID Ki (nM) 10A12 0.0910A12S 0.06 2G1 0.09 8F6 0.16 1E1 0.29 6B10 0.30 7C10 0.41 6A5 0.67 6A5Batch 2 0.35 1D4 0.86

Example 5 Inhibition of IP-10 Induced Calcium Flux

In this example, the ability of anti-IP-10 antibodies to inhibitIP-10-induced calcium flux was examined using either 300.19 cellstransfected to express CXCR3 or anti-CD3 activated human peripheralblood lymphocytes (PBLs) that express CXCR3. To prepare the PBLs, normalhuman blood was purified by standard Ficoll separation. The purifiedhuman PBLs were stimulated by adding the cells to plates coated with 3μg/ml of anti-CD3 antibody and grown in RPMI with 10% FBS. Following athree day incubation, the cells were maintained in growth mediacontaining 500 U/ml of IL-2. On the day of the study, the cells werewashed and resuspended in media at a density of 2.5×10⁷ cells/ml. The300.19 cells transfected to express CXCR3 were grown in RPMI containing10% FBS. The 300.19 cells were resuspended in growth media at 2×10⁶cells/ml.

To perform the assay, 100 μl of cell suspension was added to ablack-sided, clear-bottomed 96 well plate which was coated withPoly-D-Lysine (Corning/Costar, cat. #3667). 100 microliters of Calcium 3kit loading dye (FlexStation™, Molecular Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale,Calif.) was added to each well, the plates were spun at 1100 RPM for 4minutes and incubated at 37° C. for 30 minutes. Using a 96-well reagentplate, human IP-10 (Peprotech, cat. #300-12) was diluted in Hank'sBalanced Salt Solution with 20 mM HEPES and 1% FBS (800 pM for 300.19cells and 1200 pM for human PBLs). Antibodies were serially diluted inthe reagent plates containing IP-10. Control wells containing bufferalone or IP-10 alone were included. Twenty-two microliters ofIP-10/antibody solution were added per well to the plates containing thedye labeled cells and calcium flux was determined by monitoring Calcium3 fluorescence using the FlexStation™ instrument according to themanufacturer's instructions, over a time period of 200 seconds. The areaunder the curve (AUC) was calculated by the integration of the calciumflux between 20-100 seconds according to standard protocols (see e.g.,Smart D. et al. (1999) Br. J. Pharmacol. 128:1-3). The data wereanalyzed using Prism™ software (Molecular Devices, Inc.) and IC₅₀ values(in nM) were determined The results are summarized below in Table 7:

TABLE 7 Inhibition of IP-10-Induced Calcium Flux Clone ID IC₅₀ (nM) forHPBL IC₅₀ (nM) for 300.19 Cells 10A12 1.25 0.18 10A12S 2.31 0.08 2G12.98 0.50 8F6 6.27 0.30 1E1 3.64 NT 6B10 4.40 0.50 7C10 8.15 0.77 6A52.85 0.61 6A5 Batch 2 2.18 0.42 1D4 4.07 0.34

Example 6 Inhibition of IP-10 Induced Cell Migration

The ability of anti-IP-10 antibodies to inhibit cell migration inducedby IP-10 was examined in an in vitro chemotaxis assay. In a theseexperiments, CXCR3-expressing 300.19 cells were used and were stimulatedwith either: (i) 100 ng/ml of recombinant human IP-10 (rhIP-10); (ii)supernatant of THP-1 cells stimulated with IFN gamma (which inducessecretion of native IP-10 and MIG), wherein THP-1 derived IP-10 was at aconcentration of 16 ng/ml and MIG activity was blocked by addition ofanti-MIG (R&D Systems) at 2.5 μg/ml; or (iii) 100 ng/ml recombinantrhesus macaque IP-10 (rrmIP-10). Inhibition of cell migration wasassessed using various concentrations of antibodies and a chemotacticindex was determined

Specifically, chemotaxis inhibition was assessed using a standard 96well plate assay (Multiscreen MIC plates (Millipore)). A 5 μm filter wasused for transfected cell lines; and 3 μm filter was used for primarycells. Responding cells (300.19 CXCR3+; MBP-specific human PBMC cells)were resuspended in chemotaxis buffer (RPMI+1% BSA or FBS) at 1×10⁶cells/ml. 100 μl of cell suspension was added to the upper well and leftto incubate for 30 minutes at 37° C. 5% CO₂ was applied prior toaddition to the bottom well.

Human and rhesus macaque IP-10 was prepared at 100 ng/ml; for THP-1derived IP-10, THP-1 cells were stimulated with IFN-γ (0.2 ng/ml) andsupernatant was collected; MS CSF derived IP-10 was used neat. Ligandwas prepared in 150 μL of chemotaxis buffer and placed in the lowerchamber.

For chemotaxis inhibition assays, ligand was pre-incubated with varyingconcentrations of the indicated anti-IP-10 antibody (5 μg/ml, 2.5 μg/ml,1.25 μg/ml, 0.613 μg/ml, 0.3 μg/ml, 0.015n/ml) for 30 minutes at 37° C.in 5% CO2 prior to assay. The top chamber was placed over wells, and thewells were incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. in 5% CO2. At the end of theincubation, responding cells were aspirated from the top chamber. Thetop chamber was carefully removed. Cells were counted in 4 randomfields/well at 400× magnification. Data was averaged across three wellsand presented as a chemotaxis index (i.e. the fold migration in responseto ligand over media alone). The results, expressed as IC₅₀ values, aresummarized below in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Inhibition of IP-10 Induced Cell Migration rhIP-10 THP-1 IP-10rrmIP-10 Clone ID IC₅₀ (μg/ml) IC₅₀ (μg/ml) IC₅₀ (μg/ml) 6A5 (Batch 2)0.156 0.132 0.119 8F6 0.355 0.173 0.100 6B10 1.1 0.193 0.149 10A12S0.115 0.211 15.1 1D4 0.156 0.247 0.163

The ability of anti-IP-10 antibodies to inhibit CXCR3-expressing 300.19cell migration in response to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from multiplesclerosis (MS) patients was also examined Again, anti-MIG antibody at2.5 μg/ml was added to the CSF sample to neutralize MIG activity. Theresults from two experiments, expressed as IC₅₀ values, are summarizedbelow in Table 9:

TABLE 9 Inhibition of MS-CSF Induced Cell Migration Expt. 1 Expt. 2Clone ID IC₅₀ (μg/ml) IC₅₀ (μg/ml) 6A5 (Batch 2) 0.100 0.236 10A12S0.562 0.577

Cell migration studies were also performed using CXCR3-expressing 300.19cells and recombinant human MIG (R&D Systems), at 200 ng/ml, to examinethe ability of the anti-IP-10 antibodies to inhibit MIG-induced cellmigration. The anti-IP-10 antibodies 6B10, 8F6, 1D4, 6A5 batch 2, 10A12and 10A12S were individually tested at 1 μg/ml and were found not toinhibit the MIG-induced cell migration.

Example 7 Binding of Antibodies to Brain Section of MS Patients

In this example, the ability of anti-IP-10 antibodies to stain brainsections from a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient was examined Brainsections from a 57 year old female MS patient were obtained 19.8 hourspost-mortem and showed an irregular shaped periventricular plaque (1.3cm×1.0 cm) with numerous additional smaller plaques present throughoutthe remaining white matter. LFB staining showed complete demyelinationImmunohistochemistry was performed on the sections using the 6A5 (batch2) and 10A12S anti-IP-10 antibodies, as well as anti-GFAP and anti-CD68,as positive controls, and a negative control antibody.

A standard immunohistochemistry protocol was employed for anti-IP-10staining of the sections. Sections were blocked using 2%-10% serum. 100μl/section primary antibody (e.g., 6A5) diluted 1:100 in 2% serum wasadded, then incubated 1 hr at RT. Optionally, sections were incubatedovernight at 4° C. and washed. The secondary anti-human biotinylatedantibody (diluted in 2% serum (100 μl/section)) was then added andincubated 30-60 minutes at RT. Endogenous peroxidases were removed byadding dilute H₂O₂ in MeOH. Next, ABC Solution (Vector Labs) was added,100 μl/section, and incubated for 30 mins RT. DAB substrate solution wasprepared immediately prior to use. 100 μl per section was applied toslides before incubating in the dark for 10-20 mins (as necessary fordevelopment). Slides were then counterstained with Hematoxylin nuclearstain for 3 min (Progress checked after 1 min). Finally slides wereincubate in 2% sodium bicarbonate for 45 seconds to bring out thecolour.

The results showed that both 6A5 and 10A12S could bind to IP-10 in situin the brain sections of the MS patient, with 6A5 staining being moreintense than 10A12S staining.

Example 8 Construction of HCo17 Strain of Transgenic Mice

The HCo17 transgenic mouse strain was generated by coinjection of the 80kb insert of pHC2 (Taylor et al. (1994) Int. Immunol., 6: 579-591), the25 Kb insert of pVX6, and a ˜460 kb yeast artificial chromosome fragmentof the yIgH24 chromosome. The pHC2 construct alone is fully capable ofbeing rearranged in vivo to form functional human heavy chainimmunoglobulin loci; pVX6 and yIgH24 were added to contribute additionalgermline V_(H) diversity. The individual components of the DNA mixtureused to produce HCo17 are described below.

The pHC2 insert described above contains four functional human germlineV_(H) gene segments: 1-69 (DP-10), 5-51 (DP-73), 4-34 (DP-63), and3-30.3 (DP-46). In addition, this construct also contains human genomicsequences comprising 15 functional D segments, all 6 J segments, as wellas μ and γ1 constant region segments and a functional μ-γ1 switchregion.

The pVX6 insert contains 3 human germline VH segments, VH1-18 (DP-14),VH5-51 (DP-73) and VH3-23 (DP-47). An 8.5 kb HindIII/SalI DNA fragment,comprising the germline human VH1-18 (DP-14) gene, together withapproximately 2.5 kb of 5′ flanking, and 5 kb of 3′ flanking genomicsequence, was subcloned into the plasmid vector pSP72 (Promega, Madison,Wis.) to generate the plasmid p343.7.16. A 7 kb BamHI/HindIII DNAfragment, comprising the germline human VH5-51 (DP-73) gene, togetherwith approximately 5 kb of 5′ flanking and 1 kb of 3′ flanking genomicsequence, was cloned into the pBR322 based plasmid cloning vector pGP1f(Taylor et al. (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20: 6287-6295), to generate theplasmid p251f. A new cloning vector derived from pGP1f, pGP1k, wasdigested with EcoRV/BamHI, and ligated to a 10 kb EcoRV/BamHI DNAfragment, comprising the germline human VH3-23 (DP47) gene, togetherwith approximately 4 kb of 5′ flanking and 5 kb of 3′ flanking genomicsequence. The resulting plasmid, p112.2RR.7, was digested withBamHI/SalI and ligated with the 7 kb purified BamHI/SalI insert ofp251f. The resulting plasmid, pVx4, was digested with XhoI and ligatedwith the 8.5 kb XhoI/SalI insert of p343.7.16. A clone was obtained withthe VH1-18 gene in the same orientation as the other two V genes. Thisclone, designated pVx6, was then digested with NotI for insertpreparation.

The yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) yIgH24 was originally identifiedby PCR screening using VH3 and VH4 family specific primers and is mappedto the human chromosome 14 by VH content. It was established that yIgH24contains VH segments including members of the VH families VH1, VH2, VH3,VH4, and VH5, and in particular at least VH1-24, VH1-45, VH1-46, VH2-26,VH3-30, V 3-30.5, VH3-30.3, VH3-33, VH3-43, VH3-48, VH3-49, VH3-53,VH4-28, VH4-30, VH4-30.4, VH4-30.3, VH4-31, VH4-34, 4-39, and VH5-51.

Purified inserts from pVX6 (26 kb), pHC2 (80 kb), and yIgH24 (˜460 kb)were combined in a 1:1:1 molar ratio, and microinjected into thepronuclei of one-half day (C57BL/6J×DBA/2J) F2 embryos as described byHogan et al. (B. Hogan et al., Manipulating the Mouse Embryo, ALaboratory Manual, 2^(nd) edition, 1994, Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress, Plainview, N.Y.). A founder line of transgenic mice, comprisingsequences from pVx6, HC2 and yIgH24, was established from mice thatdeveloped from the injected embryos. This line was designated (HCo17)25950.

The (HCo17) 25950 line was then bred with mice comprising the CMDmutation (described in Example 1 of PCT Publication WO 01/09187), theJKD mutation (Chen et al. (1993) EMBO J. 12: 811-820), and the(KCoS)9272 transgene (Fishwild et al. (1996) Nature Biotechnology 14:845-851). The resulting mice express human immunoglobulin heavy andkappa light chain transgenes in a background homozygous for disruptionof the endogenous mouse heavy and kappa light chain loci.

SUMMARY OF SEQUENCE LISTING

SEQ SEQ ID NO: SEQUENCE ID NO: SEQUENCE 1 VH CDR1 a.a. 1D4 24 VH CDR3a.a. 1D4 2 VH CDR1 a.a. 1E1 25 VH CDR3 a.a. 1E1 3 VH CDR1 a.a. 2G1 26 VHCDR3 a.a. 2G1 4 VH CDR1 a.a. 3C4 27 VH CDR3 a.a. 3C4 5 VH CDR1 a.a. 6A528 VH CDR3 a.a. 6A5 6 VH CDR1 a.a. 6A8 29 VH CDR3 a.a. 6A8 7 VH CDR1a.a. 6B10 30 VH CDR3 a.a. 6B10 8 VH CDR1 a.a. 7C10 31 VH CDR3 a.a. 7C109 VH CDR1 a.a. 8F6 32 VH CDR3 a.a. 8F6 10 VH CDR1 a.a. 10A12 33 VH CDR3a.a. 10A12 11 VH CDR1 a.a. 10A12S 34 VH CDR3 a.a. 13C4 12 VH CDR1 a.a.13C4 35 VH a.a. 1D4 13 VH CDR2 a.a. 1D4 36 VH a.a. 1E1 14 VH CDR2 a.a.1E1 37 VH a.a. 2G1 15 VH CDR2 a.a. 2G1 38 VH a.a. 3C4 16 VH CDR2 a.a.3C4 39 VH a.a. 6A5 17 VH CDR2 a.a. 6A5 40 VH a.a. 6A8 18 VH CDR2 a.a.6A8 41 VH a.a. 6B10 19 VH CDR2 a.a. 6B10 42 VH a.a. 7C10 20 VH CDR2 a.a.7C10 43 VH a.a. 8F6 21 VH CDR2 a.a. 8F6 44 VH a.a. 10A12 22 VH CDR2 a.a.10A12 45 VH a.a. 10A12S 23 VH CDR2 a.a. 13C4 46 VH a.a. 13C4 47 VH 3-33germline a.a. 49 VH 5-51 germline a.a. 48 VH 3-30.3 germline a.a. 50 VH4-61 germline a.a. 51 Vk CDR1 a.a. 1D4 73 Vk CDR3 a.a. 1D4 52 Vk CDR1a.a. 1E1 74 Vk CDR3 a.a. 1E1 53 Vk CDR1 a.a. 2G1 75 Vk CDR3 a.a. 2G1 54Vk CDR1 a.a. 3C4 76 Vk CDR3 a.a. 3C4 55 Vk CDR1 a.a. 6A5 77 Vk CDR3 a.a.6A5 56 Vk CDR1 a.a. 6A8 78 Vk CDR3 a.a. 6A8 57 Vk CDR1 a.a. 6B10 79 VkCDR3 a.a. 6B10 58 Vk CDR1 a.a. 7C10 80 Vk CDR3 a.a. 7C10 59 Vk CDR1 a.a.8F6 8 Vk CDR3 a.a. 8F6 60 Vk CDR1 a.a. 10A12 82 Vk CDR3 a.a. 10A12 61 VkCDR1 a.a. 13C4 83 Vk CDR3 a.a. 13C4 62 Vk CDR2 a.a. 1D4 84 Vk a.a. 1D463 Vk CDR2 a.a. 1E1 85 Vk a.a. 1E1 64 Vk CDR2 a.a. 2G1 86 Vk a.a. 2G1 65Vk CDR2 a.a. 3C4 87 Vk a.a. 3C4 66 Vk CDR2 a.a. 6A5 88 Vk a.a. 6A5 67 VkCDR2 a.a. 6A8 89 Vk a.a. 6A8 68 Vk CDR2 a.a. 6B10 90 Vk a.a. 6B10 69 VkCDR2 a.a. 7C10 91 Vk a.a. 7C10 70 Vk CDR2 a.a. 8F6 92 Vk a.a. 8F6 71 VkCDR2 a.a. 10A12 93 Vk a.a. 10A12 72 Vk CDR2 a.a. 13C4 94 Vk a.a. 13C4 95Vk A27 germline a.a. 97 Vk L18 germline a.a. 96 Vk L6 germline a.a. 98Vk L15 germline a.a. 99 VH n.t. 1D4 121 Human IP-10 a.a. 100 VH n.t. 1E1122 Human CXCR3 a.a. 101 VH n.t. 2G1 123 Rhesus monkey IP-10 a.a. 102 VHn.t. 3C4 124 Mouse IP-10 a.a. 103 VH n.t. 6A5 125 Human Mig a.a. 104 VHn.t. 6A8 126 Human ITAC a.a. 105 VH n.t. 6B10 106 VH n.t. 7C10 107 VHn.t. 8F6 108 VH n.t. 10A12 109 VH n.t. 13C4 110 Vk n.t 1D4 111 Vk n.t.1E1 112 Vk n.t. 2G1 113 Vk n.t. 3C4 114 Vk n.t. 6A5 115 Vk n.t. 6A8 116Vk n.t. 6B10 117 Vk n.t. 7C10 118 Vk n.t. 8F6 119 Vk n.t. 10A12 120 Vkn.t 13C4

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain, usingno more than routine experimentation, many equivalents of the specificembodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents areintended to be encompassed by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes a heavychain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 39, or a sequence which is at least 80% identical to SEQ IDNO: 39, and/or which encodes a light chain variable region comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, or a sequence whichis at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 88, wherein the variable regionbinds human IP-10 (SEQ ID NO: 121).
 2. The nucleic acid molecule ofclaim 1, encoding a heavy chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2,and CDR3 sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 5, 17, and 28,respectively, and/or a light chain variable region comprising CDR1,CDR2, and CDR3 sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 55, 66, and 77,respectively.
 3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the heavyand light chain variable regions comprise the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 39 and SEQ ID NO: 88, respectively.
 4. An isolatednucleic acid molecule which encodes a heavy and/or light chain variableregion which binds an epitope on human IP-10 (SEQ ID NO: 121) recognizedby an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region having the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39 and a light chain variableregion having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 88. 5. Anisolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes a heavy chain variableregion comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 103,or a sequence which is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 103, and/orwhich encodes a light chain variable region comprising the nucleotidesequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 114, or a sequence which is at least80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 114, wherein the variable region binds humanIP-10 (SEQ ID NO: 121).
 6. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 5,encoding a heavy chain variable region comprising the nucleotidesequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 103, and/or a light chain variableregion comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 114.7. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of claim 1, 4 or 5, wherein theheavy and light chain variable regions exhibit at least one of thefollowing functional properties: (i) cross-reacts with rhesus monkeyIP-10 (SEQ ID NO: 123); (ii) does not cross-react with mouse IP-10 (SEQID NO: 124); (iii) does not cross-react with human MIG (SEQ ID NO: 125);or (iv) does not cross-react with human ITAC (SEQ ID NO: 126).
 8. Anexpression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of any one ofclaim 1, 4 or
 5. 9. A host cell comprising the expression vector ofclaim 8.